TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

Whether receiving a fee contingent on the sale of services to an independent school district is prohibited by Section 305.022 of the Government Code. (AOR 686.)

The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 571.091 of the Government Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 303, Government Code; (4) Chapter 305, Government Code; (5) Chapter 2004, Government Code; (6) Title 15, Election Code; (7) Chapter 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government Code.

Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2023.

TRD-202303377

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: September 12, 2023

Advisory Opinion Request/Question

Whether a retired district court judge may use political contributions to pay for his and his wife's headstones or monuments at the State Cemetery of Texas. (AOR 687.)

Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2023.

TRD-202303378

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: September 12, 2023

Ethics Advisory Opinion/Question

Whether Section 253.007 of the Election Code prohibits a former legislator from engaging in activity requiring lobby registration under various scenarios. (AOR 688.)

Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2023.

TRD-202303379

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: September 12, 2023

Ethics Advisory Opinion/Question

Whether a written communication, created by a political subdivision and related to a measure, constitutes political advertising for purposes of the Election Code's prohibition against using public funds for political advertising. (AOR 689.)

Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2023.

TRD-202303380

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: September 12, 2023

Ethics Advisory Opinion/Question

Whether a written communication, created by a political subdivision and related to the political subdivision's special election for a sales tax ballot measure, constitutes political advertising for purposes of the Election Code's prohibition against using public funds for political advertising. Tex. Elec. Code § 255.003(a). (AOR 690.)

Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2023.

TRD-202303381

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: September 12, 2023

Ethics Advisory Opinion/Question

Whether the Section 572.069 revolving door prohibition prevents a state university employee, who operates a business outside of his university employment, from bidding on behalf of his business on a procurement issued by the university. (AOR 691.)

Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on September 12, 2023.

TRD-202303382

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: September 12, 2023