Indiana lawmakers may prohibit gratuities paid to public servants: Report

State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, has proposed legislation to close a loophole created by a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows elected officials and government employees to accept unlimited gratuities for official acts, provided there is no prior agreement. The ruling overturned former Portage Mayor James Snyder’s 2021 conviction for federal funds bribery but left the door open for his retrial on bribery charges, NWI.com report.

Slager’s House Bill 1110 aims to make it a class A misdemeanor to offer, solicit, or accept gratuities for official acts, with penalties including up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. If the gratuity exceeds $750 in value, the offense would escalate to a level 6 felony, punishable by up to 2.5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Exceptions include gratuities under $100, ceremonial items, publicly reported goods or services, campaign donations, and employer compensation.

The bill mirrors existing Indiana statutes on bribery and quid pro quo payments. Slager emphasized the need for clarity in state law to prevent potential abuses following the Supreme Court’s ruling. The proposal will be reviewed by the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee in the coming weeks.