RCW 15.04.200 provides that agricultural commodity commissions shall adopt rules governing promotional hosting expenditures by agricultural commodity commission employees, agents, or commissioners. The rules governing promotional hosting expenditures for the Washington beef commission shall be as follows:

(1) "Promotional hosting" means the hosting of individuals or groups of individuals at meetings, meals, events, or other gatherings for the purpose of agricultural development, trade promotion, cultivating trade relations, and in the aid of the marketing, advertising, promotion, or sales of beef and beef products. Such hosting may include providing meals, refreshments, lodging, transportation, gifts of a nominal value, reasonable and customary entertainment, and normal incidental expenses.

(2) Expenditures for promotional hosting shall be pursuant to specific budget items in the commission's annual budget as approved by the commission and the director.

(3) The commission staff members are authorized to make expenditures for promotional hosting in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

(4) Commissioners shall obtain prior authorization of the commission before making any expenditure for promotional hosting.

(5) All payments and reimbursements for promotional hosting expenses shall be identified and supported by a hosting expense report with receipts attached when available. Hosting expense report forms will be supplied by the commission and shall require the following information:

(a) Name of each person hosted, and company or affiliation name if appropriate;

(b) General purpose of the hosting;

(c) Date and location of hosting;

(d) Name and signature of person seeking payment or reimbursement; and

(e) Amount of payment or reimbursement.

(6) The executive director of the commission or chairman of the board are authorized to approve direct payment or reimbursements submitted in accordance with these rules, provided that they are not authorized to approve their own reimbursements.

(7) The following persons may be hosted by Washington beef commission staff or board members when it is reasonably believed such hosting will promote agricultural development, promote trade, cultivate trade relations, or aid in the marketing, advertising, or sale of beef or beef products, provided that such hosting shall not violate federal or state conflict of interest laws:

(a) Individuals from private businesses, associations, commissions;

(b) Foreign government officials;

(c) Federal, state, and local officials: Lodging, meals, and transportation will be provided when such officials may not obtain reimbursement for these expenses from their government employer;

(d) Individuals who directly influence consumer perception and demand for beef and beef products, including media and health care professionals;

(e) Spouses of the persons listed in (d) of this subsection when it is customary and expected; and

(f) The general public, at meetings and gatherings open to the general public.