> It will be a crime for civil servants to misrepresent or present false
> information with the deliberate intention of deceiving fellow
> government officials or members of the public while acting out their
> functions as government representatives.

This works just fine.  Jokes and sarcasm are temporary.  The government worker moves on and then tells the truth. 

If there is someone who still thinks it's real, the worker did not intentionally deceive anyone.  There are plenty of laws where the intent matters.  It's already part of our legal system.  Either in differentiating a greater crime from a lessor crime or in differentiating a crime from a legal act.

Given the consequences of a misinterpreted joke though, I'd think government workers would be extra cautious and always say "just kidding!" after a joke, or not tell them in the first place.

It's also already illegal for a member of the public to lie to various government officials.  For example, it's against the law (as in an actual crime, not just a financial penalty) to [lie on your tax returns][1] or in an [IRS audit][2].  If you go into an audit and say, "I don't have to report the basement full of gold bars, right?" they will not be amused, but it won't get you sent to prison.

Your suggested language is fine.  Just leave out the "but jokes are fine. Also sarcasm is okay" part as it's not necessary and puts too much emphasis on it.  We already have laws that cover this, you're just widening the scope.


  [1]: https://law.freeadvice.com/tax_law/tax_enforcement/filing-fraudulent-income-tax-return-crime.htm
  [2]: https://www.goldinglawyers.com/do-not-lie-in-a-tax-audit-penalties-criminal-prosecution/