To prohibit Federal judges from receiving gifts valued over $50 in an instance or $100 in the aggregate in a year from a source unless excepted, and for other purposes.
The High Court Gift Ban Act would prohibit federal judges from accepting gifts valued over $50 in a single instance or $100 in the aggregate per calendar year from any source, with specified exceptions. The bill exempts gifts from relatives and other judges, honorary degrees from educational institutions, professional development opportunities, and reimbursement for seminars and legal events up to $2,000 (or higher with a waiver from the Chief Justice or appropriate chief judge). The legislation establishes enforcement mechanisms requiring the Judicial Conference to refer violations to the Attorney General, who may pursue civil actions with penalties matching those for existing ethics violations, and criminal penalties for knowing and willful violations. The Supreme Court and Judicial Conference would have 180 days from enactment to develop regulations implementing the gift ban.
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