Gift of kidney to ailing lawmaker against the rules

Gift of kidney to ailing lawmaker against the rules

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UNEAU -- Nome Rep. Richard Foster is famous at the state Capitol for his love of machine guns and the weekly "Foster Night" musical jam parties he used to host in his Capitol office.
Now Foster is hurting, badly, and his many friends at the state Capitol want to do more than send flowers. A half-dozen offered to donate their kidneys to the ailing legislator. Sue Stancliff, an aide to Fairbanks Rep. Mike Kelly, appears to be a match.
Here's the problem: It appears to be against state ethics law for Stancliffe to give Foster a kidney.

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This is the most obsurd thing I have ever heard. I can understand imposing a limit on a gift, but how in the heck can this be considered a "gift". It is a matter of life and death. Who the heck writes this legislation anyway? Seems they need to really think things through a bit more before they drastically change existing laws. You would think all bets are off when someone needs an organ transplant.

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The law is understandable considering this is a rep. we're talking about.

However Foster could always resign, receive the transplant, and then run for office again virtually assured of taking it back.