Authority to purchase good will and promotional materials.

(1) The Legislature recognizes that the Department of Law Enforcement functions as one of the state’s primary law enforcement representatives in national and international meetings, conferences, and cooperative efforts. The department often hosts delegates from other federal, state, local, and international agencies and is in a position to function as a representative of the state fostering good will and effective interagency working relationships. It is the intent of the Legislature that the department be allowed, consistent with the dignity and integrity of the state, to purchase and distribute material and items of collection to those with whom the department has contact in meetings, conferences, and cooperative efforts.

(2) In addition to expenditures separately authorized by law, the department may expend not more than $5,000 annually to purchase and distribute promotional materials or items that serve to advance with dignity and integrity the good will of this state and the department and to provide basic refreshments at official functions, seminars, or meetings of the department in which dignitaries or representatives from the Federal Government, other states or nationalities, or other agencies are in attendance.