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.