Center for Ethics in Government

Honorariums

Honorariums are payments for speeches, articles or appearances.

50-State Table of Honorarium Restrictions, Updated June 2008.

Eye on Ethics Brief: Honorariums, Laws for Legislators, August 2003

Twenty-six states prohibit them if they are offered in connection with a legislator's official duties. That means a legislator could accept honorariums for services performed in relation to their private profession or occupation if unrelated to the legislator's legislative duties. Most states that prohibit honorariums allow reimbursement for travel, lodging and necessary expenses. Twenty-four states allow honorariums or don't specifically address them in statute.

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