§4726 Guidelines Relating to Restrictions on Registered Lobbyist Participation in Travel and Disclosure

Summary

The Select Committee on Ethics must write and update rules about travel paid or arranged by outside groups. They had to do this within 60 days after September 14, 2007, and must review the rules every year. The rules must explain how to judge a trip request and whether a sponsor’s spending is reasonable. They must cover things like the sponsor’s mission and history, other education work it does, any past ethics investigations, whether the trip’s length and schedule match the official purpose, how the trip connects to official duties, whether the sponsor’s costs are sensible, whether money is directly tied to an event, and any other relevant factors. The committee must also set rules for what information and certifications people must give to get the committee’s prior approval for travel under Senate Rule XXXV. When making the guidelines, the committee must consider the official per diem rates published by the General Services Administration, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense. Travel on the specific type of flight listed in paragraph 1(c)(1)(C)(ii) of Senate Rule XXXV is not a reasonable expense. The Committee on Rules and Administration may extend the initial deadline by 30 days.