Guidelines for Bag Contents

Per Herb Hayden at the State Ethics Commission Office, individual items given to legislators may not exceed a value of $10.00, per state law. For those who file Economic Interest Statements, you will need to note that you provided a gift bag to (name of legislator) and the approximate monetary value of the contents.  Items can be described as promotional information.

You can refer to http://www.ethics.sc.gov/rulesofconduct/law.htm to see the actual law itself (see Definitions in section 8-13-100(1)(b)). Lots of things can go in bags: printed pencils and bookmarks, brochures, personal letters from constituents, photos, drawings made by children, copies of resolution, etc. You can include "items of nominal value" containing or displaying promotional material as well. We will distribute "I (heart) my public library" stickers at the January APLA meeting to put on baked goods or library items. You may wish to put other promotional stickers or tags on items as well.

That said, the most important guideline is to put things in the bag that you feel comfortable giving.