31 U.S.C. § 1353 — Acceptance of travel and related expenses from non-Federal sources

(a) The GSA Administrator, consulting the Government Ethics Director, must regulate when an executive-branch agency, including an independent agency, may accept or authorize an employee to accept non-Federal payment for travel, meals, and related expenses for the employee or spouse attending an official-duty meeting or similar event. Cash goes to the applicable appropriation; an in-kind payment proportionally reduces the employee's Government reimbursement. (b) Except under this section or 5 U.S.C. §§4111 or 7342, an agency or employee may not accept such payment. An employee who does so may have to repay the amount to Treasury's general fund and then cannot receive Government payment for those expenses. (c) “Executive branch” means all executive agencies under 5 U.S.C. 105. “Employee” means an appointed officer or employee and a section 3109 expert or consultant. “Payment” means cash or in-kind payment or reimbursement. (d) (1) Each executive agency head must report to the Ethics Director payments over $250 accepted for its employees; the Director must make reports available for public inspection and copying. (2) Each report must state the amount and method, payer, employee, meeting, travel time and place, expense nature, and other regulatory information. Reports are due by May 31 for October 1-March 31 payments and by November 30 for April 1-September 30 payments.