Us Congress House Bill HB9389

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/20/24
• Refer: 8/20/24

Caption

No Gratuities for Governing Act of 2024

Impact

If enacted, HB9389 would significantly expand the legal framework governing corruption and bribery related to government functions and services. The bill proposes to increase the maximum penalty for certain violations from ten years to fifteen years, thus emphasizing the government's zero-tolerance approach towards bribery. This legislative measure can lead to a stricter enforcement of laws against illegal gratuities, potentially deterring corrupt practices in federal programs by heightening risk for violators.

Summary

House Bill 9389, titled the 'No Gratuities for Governing Act of 2024', aims to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to clarify the offense of illegal gratuities concerning programs receiving federal funds. This bill seeks to address and enhance the penalties for individuals who knowingly provide anything of value worth $1,000 or more to government agents in exchange for favorable official actions, particularly involving transactions of significant monetary value (over $5,000). The intent is to make the legal language more precise and to reinforce the prohibition against corruption in transactions involving federal aid.

Conclusion

Overall, HB9389 represents a proactive legislative effort to tackle corruption in federal programs by clarifying and enhancing the legal standards governing illegal gratuities. The implications of this bill will extend to various stakeholders, from individual public employees to larger organizations working with government agencies, as they navigate the increased legal landscape surrounding federal funding.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB9389 involves the balance between stringent regulation and the burden it imposes on individuals and organizations interacting with governmental entities. While supporters argue that the bill is crucial for building public trust in government operations and preventing corruption, critics may raise concerns about the vagueness in how 'anything of value' could be perceived, leading to potential misunderstandings or wrongful accusations against innocent parties engaging in legitimate transactions.