SB 1081 — An Act amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in ethics standards and financial disclosure, further providing for definitions and for restricted activities, providing for gift ban and for gift ban exceptions and further providing for statement of financial interests.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. PN1289 View text Current pdf

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This bill amends Pennsylvania's ethics laws to establish a stricter gift ban for public officials and employees, including defined exceptions and revised financial disclosure requirements.

• Section 1102

  "Cash." United States currency and coin and foreign currency and coin.

  Adds a definition for 'Cash' to clarify what constitutes cash in the context of ethics standards.

• Section 1102

  "Lobbyist." Any individual, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or other entity that engages in lobbying on behalf of a principal for economic consideration and that is registered under Chapter 13A (relating to lobbying disclosure). The term includes an attorney at law while engaged in lobbying.

  Redefines 'Lobbyist' to encompass different entities and clarify the scope of lobbying activities.

• Section 1103(b)

  based on the offeror's or donor's understanding that the vote, official action or judgment of the public official or public employee or nominee or candidate for public office would be influenced thereby. → based on any understanding of that public official, public employee or nominee that the vote, official action or judgment of the public official or public employee or nominee or candidate for public office would be influenced thereby.

  Modifies the language to clarify the basis for prohibited influences on public officials.

• Section 1103(c)

  based on any understanding of that public official, public employee or nominee that the vote, official action or judgment of the public official or public employee or nominee or candidate for public office would be influenced thereby.

  Clarifies that no public official may solicit or accept influences with the intent of affecting their official duties.

• Section 1103.1

  Except as provided in section 1103.2 (relating to gift ban exceptions), to help ensure that a person may not seek or accept improper influence in accordance with section 1103 (relating to restricted activities), a public official, public employee or nominee or candidate for public office may not receive, accept, take, seek or solicit any of the following: Gifts, other than gifts of cash, having either an aggregate fair market value or aggregate actual cost greater than $50 from any one person in a calendar year.

  Establishes a new gift ban, prohibiting acceptance of gifts over $50, while allowing exclusions for gifts of cash.

• Section 1103.2

  The prohibitions listed in section 1103.1 (relating to gift ban) shall not apply to any of the following: ...

  Introduces definitions for specific exceptions to the gift ban, outlining circumstances under which public officials can accept gifts.

• Section 1105(b)(6)

  and the circumstances of each gift. This paragraph shall not apply to a gift [or gifts received from a spouse, parent, parent by marriage, sibling, child, grandchild, other family member or friend when the circumstances make it clear that the motivation for the action was a personal or family relationship. However, for the purposes of this paragraph, the term "friend" shall not include a registered lobbyist or an employee of a registered lobbyist.] under section 1103.2(1) or (13) (relating to gift ban exceptions). → and the circumstances of each gift.

  Modifies reporting requirements for gifts received, limiting them to gifts of $50 or less and excluding certain relationships from disclosure.

• Section 1105(b)(7)

  transportation and lodging or hospitality [received in connection with public office or employment where such actual expenses for transportation and lodging or hospitality exceed $650 in an aggregate amount per year.] → transportation, lodging or hospitality under section 1103.2(1).

  Adjusts the reporting requirements for expenses related to transportation and lodging to align with new gift reporting standards.

• Section 1105(b)(7.1)

  The name and address of the source of any honorarium valued at more than $50 and the circumstances surrounding the receipt of the honorarium.

  Adds a requirement to disclose honorariums over $50 received by public officials.

• Section 1105(b)(7.2)

  The name and address of the source and the amount of any awards or prizes valued in the aggregate of more than $500 and the circumstances surrounding each award or prize.

  Establishes new requirements for reporting awards and prizes received by public officials.

Action History

1. October 29, 2025

   Referred to State Government

Sponsors

• James Andrew Malone · Primary
• Art Haywood · Cosponsor
• Timothy P. Kearney · Cosponsor
• Wayne D. Fontana · Cosponsor
• Patty Kim · Cosponsor
• Steven J. Santarsiero · Cosponsor
• Jay Costa · Cosponsor
• Christine M. Tartaglione · Cosponsor
• Lindsey M. Williams · Cosponsor
• Judith L. Schwank · Cosponsor
• Nikil Saval · Cosponsor

Subjects