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DEFINITIONS
"ADVISORY AGENCY" means any board, commission, committee or post which does not exercise
any sovereign power or duty, but is appointed by a governmental agency or officer or is created by law
for the purpose of making studies or recommendations, or advising or consulting with a governmental
agency.
"BUS
INESS" means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise,
association, trust or foundation, or any other individual or entity carrying on a business or profession,
whether or not for profit.
"
CLOSE FINANCIAL ASSOCIATION" means an association in which the person filing shares
significant financial involvement with an individual and the filer would reasonably be expected to be
aware of the individual's business activities and would have access to the necessary records either
directly or through the individual. "Close financial association" does not mean an association based on
(i)
t
he receipt of retirement benefits or deferred compensation from a business by which the person
filing this statement is no longer employed, or (ii) the receipt of compensation for work performed by the
person filing as an independent contractor of a business that represents an entity before any state
governmental agency when the person filing has had no communications with the state governmental
agency.
“
CONTINGENT DEBT” means a debt that is not presently fixed or determined but may become
fixed or determined in the future with the occurrence of some certain event.
"
GIFT" means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other
item having monetary value. It includes services as well as gifts of transportation, lodgings and meals,
whether provided in-kind, by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the
expense has been incurred.
"G
IFT" does not include (i) any offer of a ticket, coupon, or other admission or pass unless the
ticket, coupon, admission, or pass is used; (ii) honorary degrees; (iii) any athletic, merit, or need-based
scholarship or any other financial aid awarded by a public or private school, institution of higher
education, or other educational program pursuant to such school, institution, or program's financial aid
standards and procedures applicable to the general public; (iv) a campaign contribution properly
received and reported pursuant to Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) of Title 24.2; (v) any gift related to
the private profession or occupation or volunteer service of an officer or employee or of a member of
his immediate family; (vi) food or beverages consumed while attending an event at which the filer is
performing official duties related to his public service; (vii) food and beverages received at or
registration or attendance fees waived for any event at which the filer is a featured speaker, presenter,
or lecturer; (viii) unsolicited awards of appreciation or recognition in the form of a plaque, trophy, wall
memento, or similar item that is given in recognition of public, civic, charitable, or professional service;
(ix)
a dev
ise or inheritance; (x) travel disclosed pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act
(§ 24.2-945 et seq.); (xi) travel paid for or provided by the government of the United States, any of its
territories, or any state or any political subdivision of such state; (xii) travel provided to facilitate
attendance by a legislator at a regular or special session of the General Assembly, a meeting of a
legislative committee or commission, or a national conference where attendance is approved by the
House Committee on Rules or its Chairman or the Senate Committee on Rules or its Chairman; (xiii)
travel related to an official meeting of, or any meal provided for attendance at such meeting by, th
e
C
ommonwealth, its political subdivisions, or any board, commission, authority, or other entity, or any
charitable organization established pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code affiliated wit
h
s
uch entity, to which such person has been appointed or elected or is a member by virtue of his office
or employment; (xiv) gifts with a value of less than $20; (xv) attendance at a reception or similar
function where food, such as hors d'oeuvres, and beverages that can be conveniently consumed by a
person while standing or walking are offered; or (xvi) gifts from relatives or personal friends.