For employee morale purposes, I would like to use state funds to provide a departmental welcome breakfast each time we bring in a new employee. Is this permitted?

Typically no. Employee meetings that are carried out on a regular or frequent basis are not permitted under this policy. Additionally, public expenditures that are driven solely by personal motives are an impermissible use of state funds. However, if the business purposes for such an expense complies with campus, CSU, IRS and Government Code restrictions then it could be allowed.