Gift rules for public employees, by state.
What each state's ethics rule says about accepting a free account from a company that also bids on public contracts, and who to ask. Checked October 23, 2026.
This is a summary to help you ask the right person, not legal advice. Counties, cities and school districts often have their own codes.
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Alabama
Alabama's Ethics Law excludes benefits offered to the public or to all government employees from what counts as a 'thing of value', so a free account open to all public staff is usually fine. Check with your agency or the Alabama Ethics Commission if you are involved in buying from LFW.
Who to ask: Alabama Ethics Commission
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Alaska
Alaska's Executive Branch Ethics Act turns on whether a gift could reasonably be seen as meant to influence your official duties, so check with your department's Designated Ethics Supervisor before signing up, especially if your agency buys or may buy from LFW.
Who to ask: Your department's Designated Ethics Supervisor; Alaska Department of Law, Ethics (Attorney General)
Source: AS 39.52.130; 9 AAC 52.060.
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American Samoa
In American Samoa, the Administrative Code bars government employees from accepting anything of economic value, including 'gratuitous service', from an organization they deal with officially, with no listed exception for free training.
Before signing up, check with your department head or the Department of Human Resources.
Source: A.S. Admin. Code §4.0708. We could not confirm every detail of this one, so ask first.
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Arizona
Arizona's rules for state employees bar accepting anything of value that may appear designed to influence official conduct, with no specific exception for free training, so check with your agency's ethics officer or legal counsel before signing up.
Source: A.R.S. §38-504(C); Ariz. Admin. Code R2-5A-501(B)(4); A.R.S. §§41-1231, 41-1232.08.
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Arkansas
Arkansas excludes informational material about your official duties and anything worth $100 or less from its definition of a gift, so a free training account is usually fine. If you are involved in a purchase from LFW, check with your agency or the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: Arkansas Ethics Commission
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California
California's Political Reform Act does not count informational material given to help you do your job, including free admission to informational seminars, as a gift, so free training is usually fine. If you file a Form 700, check with your agency's filing officer or the FPPC.
Source: Cal. Gov. Code §§82028, 89503; 2 Cal. Code Regs. §§18942(a)(1), 18942.1.
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Colorado
Colorado's constitutional gift ban (Article XXIX) caps gifts at $75 a year and exempts only unsolicited informational material, so check with your agency's ethics contact or the Independent Ethics Commission before signing up (home-rule cities and counties follow their own ethics codes).
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Connecticut
Connecticut's Code of Ethics bars state employees from accepting gifts from anyone doing or seeking business with their agency, with exceptions for promotional items available to the general public and informational material germane to state functions.
Check with your agency's ethics liaison or the Office of State Ethics before signing up.
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Delaware
Delaware's Code of Conduct asks whether accepting anything of value could affect your judgment or public confidence, and has no specific exception for free training, so check with your agency or the Public Integrity Commission before signing up.
Who to ask: Delaware Public Integrity Commission (advisory opinions on the Code of Conduct)
Source: 29 Del. C. §5806(b); §5802(4) (local coverage); 29 Del. C. §6903 (procurement).
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District of Columbia
District employees may not accept gifts from anyone seeking business with the District, and BEGA's exceptions cover discounts available to all District employees rather than free services, so check with your agency's ethics counselor or BEGA before signing up.
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Florida
Florida's Code of Ethics bars financial-disclosure filers and procurement staff from soliciting gifts from vendors doing business with their agency and from accepting such gifts over $100, so if LFW does business with your agency, check with your agency's ethics officer or the Florida Commission on Ethics before signing up.
Who to ask: Your agency's ethics officer or attorney; Florida Commission on Ethics (advisory opinions)
Source: Fla. Stat. §§112.312(12), 112.313(2), 112.3148; §287.057(25) (state procurement).
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Georgia
Georgia's executive-branch Code of Ethics bars accepting gifts worth more than $75 from vendors, including companies seeking a contract with your agency, unless the item benefits the State, so check with your agency's ethics officer before signing up.
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Guam
In Guam, the Procurement Law bars anyone who may become a government contractor from giving any government employee or department a favor of more than de minimis value while a procurement matter is pending, and LFW bids on government website work.
Before signing up, check with your agency or ask the Civil Service Commission for an advisory opinion.
Source: 4 GCA §15201; 5 GCA §5630.
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Hawaii
Hawaii's ethics rules allow benefits offered to the public at large, but generally bar gifts from anyone involved in a procurement with your agency, so check with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission before signing up (county staff: your county ethics board).
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Idaho
Idaho law bars staff who take part in purchasing or contracts from accepting economic benefits from companies likely to bid, with no specific exception for free training, so if you have any role in buying web services, check with your agency's legal counsel before signing up.
Source: Idaho Code §§18-1351, 18-1356.
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Illinois
Illinois's gift ban lets state employees accept educational materials, including online courses, when they relate to your job and your agency's ethics officer approves in advance, so a free training account is usually fine.
Ask your agency's ethics officer first (local staff: your local ethics ordinance applies the same rules).
Source: 5 ILCS 430/1-5, 10-10, 10-15, 70-5; 2 Ill. Adm. Code 1620.700.
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Indiana
Indiana's ethics rules only restrict gifts from companies with a business relationship with your agency. If your agency does or is seeking to do business with LFW, ask your agency's ethics officer (who can approve a written waiver) or the Office of Inspector General before signing up.
Source: 42 IAC 1-5-1.
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Iowa
Iowa's gift law excepts informational material relevant to your official functions and registration for informational sessions, so a free training account is usually fine even though LFW bids on public contracts.
Check with your agency or the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board if you are unsure.
Who to ask: Your agency's ethics contact or attorney; Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board (advisory opinions)
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Kansas
Kansas limits gifts of $40 or more a year from anyone with business before your agency when a major purpose is to influence you, and Commission opinions have allowed free training that benefits the state, so a free training account is usually fine.
Check with your agency or the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission if your agency is buying from LFW.
Source: K.S.A. 46-228, 46-237.
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Kentucky
Kentucky's Executive Branch Code of Ethics limits gifts to $25 a year from businesses that do or seek business with your agency and has no listed exception for free training, so check with your agency's ethics officer or the Executive Branch Ethics Commission before signing up.
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Louisiana
Louisiana's Code of Governmental Ethics bars public servants from accepting anything of economic value from companies seeking business with their agency, with no exception for free training, so check with the Louisiana Board of Ethics before signing up if LFW does or seeks business with your agency.
Who to ask: Louisiana Board of Ethics (advisory opinions on request)
Source: La. R.S. 42:1102(22) (thing of economic value), 42:1115(A)-(B).
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Maine
Maine state policy bars executive-branch employees from accepting gifts, including services, from any business that does or expects to do business with the State, so check with your agency's human resources office before signing up (local staff: check your town or school unit's policy).
Source: 17-A M.R.S. §605; Maine BHR Policy and Practices Manual §6.5.
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Maryland
Maryland's Public Ethics Law bars soliciting any gift and accepting gifts from companies that do or seek business with your agency, with an exception only for trivial items of informational value, so check with your agency's ethics officer or the State Ethics Commission before signing up.
Source: Md. Code, Gen. Prov. §5-505; State Fin. & Proc. §13-211.
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts's conflict of interest law lets public employees accept discounts available to all public employees, and waived costs for in-state training that serves a public purpose, so a free account is usually fine.
If your agency has a matter involving LFW, a written disclosure may be required, so check with the State Ethics Commission.
Source: M.G.L. c. 268A, §§3, 23(b)(2)(i), 23(b)(3); 930 CMR 5.05, 5.08(2)(e), 5.08(7).
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Michigan
Michigan's civil service rules bar employees who help specify or award contracts from accepting anything of value from companies seeking those contracts, but agencies may approve vendor-paid training that primarily benefits the state.
If you work on web contracts, ask your agency for approval before signing up.
Source: MCL 15.342(4); Mich. Civ. Serv. Comm'n Rules 2-8.2(a)(3), 2-8.7(b)-(c).
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Minnesota
Minnesota's executive-branch Code of Ethics bars state employees from accepting services related to their duties from any source other than the state, beyond nominal value, so state staff should check with their agency's ethics officer before signing up.
Local officials have an exception for services that help them perform official duties.
Source: Minn. Stat. §§43A.38 subd. 2, 15.43 subd. 1, 471.895.
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Mississippi
Mississippi has no general gift ban for public employees, but its Ethics in Government Law bars using your position for personal benefit and state procurement rules bar gratuities tied to purchasing decisions, so if you have a role in buying web services, check with the Mississippi Ethics Commission before signing up.
Source: Miss. Code §25-4-105(1); Mississippi Procurement Manual §9.105.
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Missouri
Missouri law bars accepting anything of value in connection with an official act but sets no general gift limit for public employees.
Your agency may have its own gift policy, so check with your agency's general counsel or the Missouri Ethics Commission before signing up if you have a role in buying web services.
Source: RSMo §105.452.1(1). We could not confirm every detail of this one, so ask first.
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Montana
Montana's Code of Ethics excludes educational material related to your official duties and educational activity that serves the public good from its gift limits, so a free training account is usually fine. Check with your agency's counsel if your agency is buying from LFW.
Source: MCA §§2-2-102(3), 2-2-104(1)(b).
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Nebraska
In Nebraska, the Political Accountability and Disclosure Act limits gifts to state officials from lobbyists and the groups that employ them to $50 a month, and bars using public office for personal financial gain.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics contact or the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.
Who to ask: Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC)
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Nevada
In Nevada, public officers and employees may not accept gifts or favors that would tend to improperly influence them, and state law bars a bidder from giving anything of value to the buying agency's staff before a contract is awarded.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics contact or the Nevada Commission on Ethics, especially if your agency has an open solicitation LFW has bid on.
Who to ask: Nevada Commission on Ethics
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New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, RSA 15-B bars state executive-branch employees from accepting gifts but excludes informational services provided in the ordinary course of business and treats waived fees for job-related educational programs as reportable expense reimbursements, so free training is usually fine.
If unsure, ask the Executive Branch Ethics Committee.
Who to ask: New Hampshire Executive Branch Ethics Committee (Department of Justice)
Source: N.H. RSA 15-B:2, 15-B:3, 15-B:5.
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New Jersey
In New Jersey, the Uniform Ethics Code bars state employees from accepting anything of value related to their duties unless a vendor offers it on the same terms as to the general public, so before signing up, check with your agency's Ethics Liaison Officer (local officials: your local ethics board or the Local Finance Board).
Source: N.J.S.A. 52:13D-24; Uniform Ethics Code §III; N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5(f).
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New Mexico
In New Mexico, the Gift Act limits gifts to state employees from current or would-be contractors to $250 and excludes bona fide educational programs related to the employee's duties, so free job-related training is usually fine.
The monitoring and support features are less clearly covered, so check with your agency's ethics contact or the State Ethics Commission if unsure.
Who to ask: New Mexico State Ethics Commission
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New York
In New York, state employees generally cannot accept items worth $15 or more from a company that does or seeks business with their agency, and local employees follow General Municipal Law §805-a and their local ethics code.
Before signing up, check with your agency's Ethics Officer or the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (free confidential advice at 800-873-8442).
Source: N.Y. Pub. Off. Law §73(5); 19 NYCRR Part 933; N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law §805-a; N.Y. State Fin. Law §139-j.
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North Carolina
In North Carolina, the State Government Ethics Act bars state employees from accepting gifts from companies seeking their agency's business It excepts informational materials relevant to their duties and anything made available to the general public or all other State employees.
So a free account offered to all public employees is usually fine. Employees who write specifications or award contracts should confirm with their ethics liaison or the State Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: North Carolina State Ethics Commission
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. §138A-32; §133-32.
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North Dakota
In North Dakota, the constitution bars state officials from accepting gifts from lobbyists and excludes purely informational material, but it does not set a general rule for other vendors or for local employees.
Before signing up, check your agency's own gift policy or ask the North Dakota Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: North Dakota Ethics Commission
Source: N.D. Const. art. XIV, §§1-2; N.D.C.C. ch. 54-66; N.D. Admin. Code ch. 115-03-01.
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Northern Mariana Islands
In the Northern Mariana Islands, the Government Ethics Code generally bars public officials and employees from accepting gifts but excludes informational materials such as reports and periodicals.
Because LFW also bids on government work, check with the Office of the Public Auditor before signing up.
Who to ask: Office of the Public Auditor (OPA), Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Source: 1 CMC §8501 et seq. (gift provisions; exact section numbers not confirmed).
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Ohio
In Ohio, the Ethics Law bars public officials and employees, state and local, from accepting anything of substantial value from a company doing or seeking business with their agency, and there is no listed exception for free training.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics contact or the Ohio Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: Ohio Ethics Commission
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Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the Ethics Commission's rules bar state employees involved in a purchase over $50,000 from accepting any gift from a vendor, and otherwise allow informational materials related to the job and benefits available to the general public.
If you are working on a purchase LFW could bid on, check with your agency's ethics contact or the Oklahoma Ethics Commission before signing up.
Who to ask: Oklahoma Ethics Commission
Source: Okla. Stat. tit. 74, ch. 62, App., Ethics Rules 4.8 and 4.9.
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Oregon
In Oregon, ethics law limits gifts to public officials, state and local, from sources with an economic interest in their decisions to $50 a year, but excludes informational or program material related to their official duties, so free job-related training materials are usually fine.
For the monitoring and support features, or if unsure, ask the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: Oregon Government Ethics Commission
Source: ORS 244.020(7), 244.025.
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Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the Governor's Code of Conduct bars Executive Branch employees from accepting services or items of more than nominal value from companies seeking Commonwealth business unless the same benefit is available to the general public, and the Ethics Act applies to state and local officials.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics officer or the State Ethics Commission.
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Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, the Government Ethics Law (Ley 1-2012) bars public servants from accepting benefits that could influence their official acts and limits benefits to an agency from companies seeking its contracts.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics liaison or the Oficina de Ética Gubernamental.
Who to ask: Oficina de Ética Gubernamental de Puerto Rico (OEG); your agency's ethics liaison
Source: Ley 1-2012, Art. 4.2(a), (c), (d), (s) (3 L.P.R.A. §1857a).
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Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the Code of Ethics limits gifts to state and municipal officials and employees from anyone with a financial interest in their decisions to $50 per gift and $150 a year, and the Ethics Commission says certain services that help an employee perform official duties are not gifts.
Before signing up, especially if you are a procurement official, check with your agency or the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: Rhode Island Ethics Commission
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 36-14 (§36-14-5); 520-RICR-00-00-1.4.2 (Gifts).
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South Carolina
In South Carolina, the Ethics Act bars state and local public employees from accepting anything of value in return for being influenced and requires officials who file economic-interest statements to report gifts of $25 or more in a day.
There is no listed exception for free training, so before signing up, check with your agency or the State Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: South Carolina State Ethics Commission
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South Dakota
In South Dakota, state employee policy says employees shall not accept any gift or service from a company that does or seeks to do business with the State, and LFW bids on government website work.
Before signing up, check with your agency's human resources or legal office (local employees: your local policy).
Source: SDCL §§2-12-15 to 2-12-19; State employee 'Personal Responsibility Basics' policy.
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Tennessee
In Tennessee, state law and the Governor's executive order restrict gifts to state employees, and employees who handle purchasing or serve on evaluation committees may not accept any gifts from potential bidders.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics contact or the Tennessee Ethics Commission (local employees: your county or city ethics code).
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. §3-6-305; §12-4-106; §12-4-114; Exec. Order No. 2 (Jan. 24, 2019). We could not confirm every detail of this one, so ask first.
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Texas
In Texas, Penal Code §36.08 bars a public servant who has discretion over contracts or purchases from accepting any benefit worth $50 or more from a company likely to become interested in that business, which can include LFW.
If you have a role in buying websites or web services, check with your agency's general counsel or the Texas Ethics Commission before signing up.
Who to ask: Texas Ethics Commission (state); your agency's general counsel or city/county attorney (local)
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U.S. Virgin Islands
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Governor's Code of Ethical Conduct (Executive Order 540-2025) bars executive-branch employees from accepting any benefit given because of their official duties or that could appear to influence them, and lists no exception for free training.
Before signing up, check with your agency's legal counsel or the Division of Personnel.
Who to ask: Division of Personnel, Government of the Virgin Islands (and your agency's legal counsel)
Source: Exec. Order No. 540-2025; 3 V.I.C. ch. 37 (§1100 et seq.). We could not confirm every detail of this one, so ask first.
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Utah
In Utah, the Procurement Code makes it a crime for a company seeking a public contract to give a gratuity to procurement or contract staff, and the Ethics Act bars gifts of substantial value that could influence public employees.
If you work in purchasing or contract administration, check with your agency's counsel before signing up, and others should confirm with their ethics officer.
Source: Utah Code §67-16-5; §63G-6a-2404.
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Vermont
In Vermont, the State Code of Ethics lets state employees accept training determined to be in their agency's interest and educational material germane to state functions, so free LFW Academy courses are usually fine once your agency agrees they serve its interest.
Municipal officers follow the Municipal Code of Ethics, and the State Ethics Commission answers questions from both.
Who to ask: Vermont State Ethics Commission
Source: 3 V.S.A. §1203g; 24 V.S.A. §1993(f).
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Virginia
In Virginia, the Conflict of Interests Act limits gifts from companies seeking a contract with your agency (over $100 for officials who file disclosure forms) and the Public Procurement Act bars employees responsible for a procurement from accepting services of more than nominal value from a bidder.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics or legal contact or the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council.
Who to ask: Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council
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Washington
In Washington, the Ethics in Public Service Act lets state employees, including those involved in contracting, accept informational material and publications related to their official duties from a vendor, so free LFW Academy course material is usually fine.
For the monitoring and support features, check with your agency's ethics advisor or the Executive Ethics Board (local officers: RCW 42.23 and your local code).
Source: RCW 42.52.150; RCW 42.23.070(2).
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West Virginia
In West Virginia, the Governmental Ethics Act bars state and local public employees from accepting gifts from companies doing or seeking to do business with their agency, with an exception only for unsolicited items of nominal or informational value.
Before signing up, check with your agency or the West Virginia Ethics Commission.
Who to ask: West Virginia Ethics Commission
Source: W. Va. Code §6B-2-5(c); §6B-1-3.
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Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, state and local public officials may not accept anything of value that could reasonably be expected to influence their official actions, and the law lists no exception for free training.
Before signing up, check with your agency's ethics contact or the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, which gives formal and informal advisory opinions.
Who to ask: Wisconsin Ethics Commission
Source: Wis. Stat. §19.45(2)-(3); §19.59(1)(b); Wis. Admin. Code ch. ER-MRS 24.
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Wyoming
In Wyoming, the Ethics and Disclosure Act excludes printed informational or educational material and anything worth $250 or less from its definition of a gift, so a free account is usually fine under state law. Check your agency's own policy, especially if you are involved in purchasing.
Who to ask: Your agency's legal counsel or human resources office; no statewide ethics commission was identified