Legislative Ethics Board Advisory Opinions

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Type
Advisory Opinion
Date
1/20/2005
Number
05-01
Topic
Congratulatory Letters - Normal and Regular Conduct
Issue/Question

Board was requested to revisit the issue of legislator's ability to send congratulatory letters at public expense.  Board agreed to do so.

Summary

​The standards for sending a congratulatory letter at public expense are the same in an election year as they are in a non-election year. Although there is some flexibility in identifying an "extraordinary event or honor," the constituent must already have received the honor.  The opinion provides non-exclusive examples to assist legislators and staff.




Document
Review Outcome and Date
July 2022 - Board retired the portion of the opinion that provided examples of extraordinary awards unless the award otherwise meets the definition of “extraordinary” adopted in this opinion. See Advisory Opinion 2021 – No. 1.