HB466 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jay Love

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Ethics, define the term de minimis, Sec. 36-25-1 am'd; Act 2010-764, 2010 First Sp. Sess., am'd

Summary

HB466 defines 'de minimis' gifts in Alabama ethics law as gifts of $25 or less per occasion and $50 or less per year from a single provider, with inflation-based updates every four years.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a formal definition of de minimis in the ethics code and specifies thresholds that, if a gift stays within them, is not treated as a 'thing of value' for many ethics purposes. The thresholds can be adjusted every four years based on the Consumer Price Index, and the act amends Section 36-25-1 to include these definitions. It also establishes an effective date toward the upcoming August 2012 timeframe after passage and approval.

Who It Affects

• Public officials and public employees: gifts that are de minimis will not count as 'things of value' for ethics purposes, potentially reducing reporting requirements and restrictions.
• Gift givers (businesses, individuals, organizations): can give gifts up to the de minimis thresholds without those gifts triggering ethics provisions, with the thresholds adjusted over time by CPI.

Key Provisions

• Defines de minimis as $25 per occasion and $50 per calendar year from a single provider.
• Allows the Ethics Commission to adjust these amounts by rule and to update them every four years based on CPI.
• Incorporates the de minimis definition into the 'thing of value' framework within Section 36-25-1, effectively excluding such gifts from certain ethics requirements.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (around August 2012).
• Amends Section 36-25-1 to reflect these definitions and changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ethics