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HomeGovernment CodeCh. 9.5Art. 2§ 89503 Gift Limits For Officials

§ 89503 Gift Limits For Officials

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 89503 Gift Limits For Officials

Key Takeaways

  • •If you work for the government or are running for office, you can't take gifts worth more than $250 from the same person in one year.
  • •This rule applies to elected officials, candidates, and some government employees.
  • •Some gifts are okay, like travel money for work or birthday presents from friends.
  • •The $250 limit can change over time to keep up with prices.

Example

A city council member gets a $300 watch from a local business owner.

The council member can't keep the watch because it's worth more than $250, and they're not allowed to take expensive gifts.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 89503 Gift Limits For Officials

(a) An elected state officer, elected officer of a local government agency, or other individual specified in Section 87200 shall not accept gifts from any single source in any calendar year with a total value of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (b) (1) A candidate for elective state office, for judicial office, or for elective office in a local government agency shall not accept gifts from any single source in any calendar year with a total value of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). A person shall be deemed a candidate for purposes of this subdivision when the person has filed a statement of organization as a committee for election to a state or local office, a declaration of intent, or a declaration of candidacy, whichever occurs first. A person shall not be deemed a candidate for purposes of this subdivision after the person is sworn into the elective office, or, if the person lost the election, after the person has terminated the person’s campaign statement filing obligations for that office pursuant to Section 84214 or after certification of the election results, whichever is earlier. (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any person who is a candidate as described in paragraph (1) for judicial office on or before December 31, 1996. (c) A member of a state board or commission or designated employee of a state or local government agency shall not accept gifts from any single source in any calendar year with a total value of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) if the member or employee would be required to report the receipt of income or gifts from that source on the member’s statement of economic interests. (d) This section does not apply to a person in the person’s capacity as judge. This section does not apply to a person in the person’s capacity as a part-time member of the governing board of any public institution of higher education unless that position is an elective office. (e) This section does not prohibit or limit the following: (1) Payments, advances, or reimbursements for travel and related lodging and subsistence permitted by Section 89506. (2) Wedding gifts and gifts exchanged between individuals on birthdays, holidays, and other similar occasions, provided that the gifts exchanged are not substantially disproportionate in value. (f) Beginning on January 1, 1993, the commission shall adjust the gift limitation in this section on January 1 of each odd-numbered year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest ten dollars ($10). (g) The limitations in this section are in addition to the limitations on gifts in Section 86203. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 225. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

educationcommissionemployeeportobligationstatementelectiondeclaration

Related Statutes

  • § 89502 Honorarium Ban For Officials
  • § 89506 Government Travel Payment Rules
  • § 89511.5 Personal Funds For Non-Campaign Expenses
  • § 89519 Surplus Campaign Funds Use
  • § 12012.96 Indian Gaming Fund Surplus

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 89503.
View Official Source