Section 16.02. Hospitality, defined.

  When used in s. 19.42 (1) , Stats.,"hospitality" includes but is not limited to meals, beverages and lodging which a host other than an organization offers a guest on premises owned or occupied by the host or his or her immediate family as the host's principal or seasonal residence. Hospitality is unrelated to state business if the hospitality would be extended if the recipient or a member of the recipient's immediate family did not hold a state public office.

In general, these sections provide that a state public official may not use his or her public office to obtain anything of substantial value and may not accept anything of value if it could reasonably be expected to influence the official's judgment. Moreover, a state official must report annually the acceptance of anything of value received as a gift from someone other than a relative if its value exceeds $50.

ETH 16.02 identifies the most common situations coming within the hospitality exclusion. Many other circumstances may come within the exclusion (e.g., wedding receptions, theater parties, hunting trips) but because of their diverse character no general rule can be stated. Written opinions on the term's application to situations not addressed here may be obtained from the board on request.

The rule also identifies the circumstances under which hospitality is unrelated to state business.