New 07/09

Employees may not act or give the appearance of acting on behalf of the Laboratory or the University when communicating with state or federal officials unless they are authorized to do so. To act or give the appearance of acting on behalf of the Laboratory or the University in such instances without authorization may be construed as a conflict of interest.

When corresponding with state and federal officials, a writer may use Laboratory letterhead only when authorized to represent the Laboratory or the University. Letters expressing personal views must be written on personal stationery. If Laboratory letterhead is used for corresponding with principal state and federal officials, including executive branch appointees, members of Congress, the state legislature, and their staffs, copies of the correspondence must be sent to the appropriate division director and to the Head of the Public Affairs Department.

When employees give opinions as independent professionals, they must state clearly that they are speaking for themselves and not on behalf of the Laboratory or the University of California.