§1353 Acceptance of Travel and Related Expenses From Non-federal Sources

Summary

The General Services Administration (GSA), working with the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), must make rules about when an executive branch agency can accept money or other payments from non‑Federal groups to pay travel, lodging, and related costs for an employee (or the employee’s spouse) to attend a job‑related meeting. Cash payments accepted must be put into the proper government account. Things given instead of cash must reduce any government payment for the same costs. Except as allowed by these rules or by 5 U.S.C. 4111 or 7342, agencies and employees may not accept such payments. An employee who takes a forbidden payment may have to repay that amount to the U.S. Treasury and will not be entitled to government payment for those expenses. Definitions: executive branch — all executive agencies; employee in the executive branch — appointed officers or employees and experts/consultants under 5 U.S.C. 3109; payment — cash or in kind. Agency heads must report payments over $250 to the OGE Director. Reports must be public and list the amount, how it was paid, who paid, who received it, what the meeting was, when and where travel occurred, what expenses were covered, and any other GSA‑required details. Reports for October 1 through March 31 are due by May 31. Reports for April 1 through September 30 are due by November 30.