Sec. 1.3002  Structural rules and prohibitions.

    (a) General prohibitions. An employee shall not:
    (1) Directly or indirectly, solicit or coerce the offering of a 
gift, donation or bequest to the Commission from a regulated entity or 
other prohibited source; or
    (2) Accept gifts of cash pursuant to this subpart.
    (b) Referral of offers to designated agency ethics official. Any 
person who seeks to offer any gift to the Commission under the 
provisions of this subpart shall make such offer to the Commission's 
designated agency ethics official. In addition, any Commission employee 
who is contacted by a potential donor or the representative thereof for 
the purpose of discussing the possibility of making a gift, donation or 
bequest to the Commission shall immediately refer such person or persons 
to the Commission's designated agency ethics official. The designated 
agency ethics official shall, in consultation with other agency ethics 
officials, make a determination concerning whether acceptance of such 
offers would create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a 
conflict of interest. Agency ethics officials may also advise potential 
donors and their representatives of the types of equipment, property or 
services that may be of use to the Commission and the procedures for 
effectuating gifts set forth in this subpart. The Commission may, in its 
discretion, afford public notice before accepting any gift under 
authority of this subpart.