Title GV, Government Code

Sec. 572.055. CERTAIN SOLICITATIONS OF REGULATED BUSINESS ENTITIES PROHIBITED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) An association or organization of employees of a regulatory agency may not solicit, accept, or agree to accept anything of value from a business entity regulated by that agency an…

Sec. 572.056. CONTRACTS BY STATE OFFICERS WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A state officer may not solicit or accept from a governmental entity a commission, fee, bonus, retainer, or rebate that is compensation for the officer's personal solicitation for the awar…

Sec. 572.057. CERTAIN LEASES PROHIBITED. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a member of the legislature, an executive or judicial officer elected in a statewide election, or a business entity in which the legislator or officer has a substantial interest may not lease any o…

Sec. 572.058. PRIVATE INTEREST IN MEASURE OR DECISION; DISCLOSURE; REMOVAL FROM OFFICE FOR VIOLATION. (a) An elected or appointed officer, other than an officer subject to impeachment under Article XV, Section 2, of the Texas Constitution, who is a member of a board or commission…

Sec. 572.059. INDEPENDENCE OF STATE AND LOCAL OFFICERS ACTING IN LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY. (a) In this section, "legislative measure" includes: (1) a bill, resolution, order, or other proposal to adopt, enact, amend, or repeal a statute, ordinance, rule, or policy of general applicat…

Sec. 572.060. SOLICITATION OF OR RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. (a) Unless otherwise prohibited by the Code of Judicial Conduct, a state officer or state employee may: (1) solicit from any person a contribution to: (…

Sec. 572.061. CERTAIN GRATUITIES AUTHORIZED. This subchapter does not prohibit the acceptance of a gratuity that is accepted and reported in accordance with Section 11.0262, Parks and Wildlife Code. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 639 (H.B. 2685), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 200…

Sec. 572.069. CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT FOR FORMER STATE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE RESTRICTED. A former state officer or employee of a state agency who during the period of state service or employment participated on behalf of a state agency in a procurement or contract negotiation involving …

Sec. 572.070. PROHIBITIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO FOREIGN INFLUENCE; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "foreign adversary" means a country: (1) identified by the United States Director of National Intelligence as a country that poses a risk to the national sec…

Sec. 573.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Candidate" has the meaning assigned by Section 251.001, Election Code. (2) "Position" includes an office, clerkship, employment, or duty. (3) "Public official" means: (A) an officer of this state or of a district, county, municipal…

Sec. 573.002. DEGREES OF RELATIONSHIP. Except as provided by Section 573.043, this chapter applies to relationships within the third degree by consanguinity or within the second degree by affinity. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. SUBCHAPTER B. …

Sec. 573.021. METHOD OF COMPUTING DEGREE OF RELATIONSHIP. The degree of a relationship is computed by the civil law method. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Sec. 573.022. DETERMINATION OF CONSANGUINITY. (a) Two individuals are related to each other by consanguinity if: (1) one is a descendant of the other; or (2) they share a common ancestor. (b) An adopted child is considered to be a child of the adoptive parent for this purpose. Ad…

Sec. 573.023. COMPUTATION OF DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY. (a) The degree of relationship by consanguinity between an individual and the individual's descendant is determined by the number of generations that separate them. A parent and child are related in the first degree, a grandpa…

Sec. 573.024. DETERMINATION OF AFFINITY. (a) Two individuals are related to each other by affinity if: (1) they are married to each other; or (2) the spouse of one of the individuals is related by consanguinity to the other individual. (b) The ending of a marriage by divorce or t…

Sec. 573.025. COMPUTATION OF DEGREE OF AFFINITY. (a) A husband and wife are related to each other in the first degree by affinity. For other relationships by affinity, the degree of relationship is the same as the degree of the underlying relationship by consanguinity. For exampl…

Sec. 573.041. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO PUBLIC OFFICIAL. A public official may not appoint, confirm the appointment of, or vote for the appointment or confirmation of the appointment of an individual to a position that is to be directly or indirectly compensated from public funds…

Sec. 573.042. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO CANDIDATE. (a) A candidate may not take an affirmative action to influence the following individuals regarding the appointment, reappointment, confirmation of the appointment or reappointment, employment, reemployment, change in status, com…

Sec. 573.043. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO DISTRICT JUDGE. A district judge may not appoint as official stenographer of the judge's district an individual related to the judge or to the district attorney of the district within the third degree. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268…

Sec. 573.044. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO TRADING. A public official may not appoint, confirm the appointment of, or vote for the appointment or confirmation of the appointment of an individual to a position in which the individual's services are under the public official's directi…

Sec. 573.061. GENERAL EXCEPTIONS. Section 573.041 does not apply to: (1) an appointment to the office of a notary public or to the confirmation of that appointment; (2) an appointment of a page, secretary, attendant, or other employee by the legislature for attendance on any memb…

Sec. 573.062. CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT. (a) A nepotism prohibition prescribed by Section 573.041 or by a municipal charter or ordinance does not apply to an appointment, confirmation of an appointment, or vote for an appointment or confirmation of an appointment of an individual to …

Sec. 573.081. REMOVAL IN GENERAL. (a) An individual who violates Subchapter C or Section 573.062(b) shall be removed from the individual's position. The removal must be made in accordance with the removal provisions in the constitution of this state, if applicable. If a provision…

Sec. 573.082. REMOVAL BY QUO WARRANTO PROCEEDING. (a) A quo warranto proceeding under this chapter must be brought by the attorney general in a district court in Travis County or in a district court of the county in which the defendant resides. (b) The district or county attorney…

Sec. 573.083. WITHHOLDING PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION. A public official may not approve an account or draw or authorize the drawing of a warrant or order to pay the compensation of an ineligible individual if the official knows the individual is ineligible. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd …

Sec. 573.084. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) An individual commits an offense involving official misconduct if the individual violates Subchapter C or Section 573.062(b) or 573.083. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not less than $100 or more than $1,…

Sec. 574.001. FINDING OF CONSTITUTIONAL COMPLIANCE. (a) A nonelective state officer may not accept an offer to serve in another nonelective office unless the officer obtains from the governing body or, if there is not a governing body, the executive head of the agency, division, …

Sec. 574.002. RECORD. A governing body or executive head shall make a record of: (1) a finding under Section 574.001; and (2) any compensation that the nonelective officer is to receive from holding the additional office, including salary, bonus, or per diem payment. Added by Act…

Sec. 574.003. RULES. A governing body or executive head shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Sec. 574.004. ASSISTANCE BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. This chapter does not prevent the attorney general from providing assistance to district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, and county attorneys on request by allowing assistant attorneys general to serve as duly appointed and de…

Sec. 574.005. LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ON STATE GOVERNING BODIES. (a) In this section: (1) "Local government" means a county, a municipality, a special district or authority, or another political subdivision of this state. (2) "State agency" means a department, commission, board…

Sec. 575.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Gift" means a donation of money or property. (2) "State agency" means a board, commission, council, committee, department, office, agency, or other governmental entity in the executive or judicial branch of state government. The te…

Sec. 575.002. GIFTS OF $500 OR MORE. This chapter applies only to a gift that has a value of $500 or more. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 575.003. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT BY STATE AGENCY GOVERNING BOARD. A state agency that has a governing board may accept a gift only if the agency has the authority to accept the gift and a majority of the board, in an open meeting, acknowledges the acceptance of the gift not later…

Sec. 575.004. RECORD OF GIFT. A state agency that accepts a gift must record the name of the donor, a description of the gift, and a statement of the purpose of the gift in: (1) the minutes of the governing board of the agency; or (2) appropriate agency records, if the agency doe…

Sec. 575.005. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT FROM PARTY TO CONTESTED CASE PROHIBITED. A state agency may not accept a gift from a person who is a party to a contested case before the agency until the 30th day after the date the decision in the case becomes final under Section 2001.144. In th…

Sec. 576.0001. PROHIBITION ON APPROPRIATION OF MONEY TO SETTLE OR PAY SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS. The legislature may not appropriate money and a state agency may not use appropriated money to settle or otherwise pay a sexual harassment claim made against a person who: (1) is an el…

Sec. 601.001. DELIVERY OF CERTAIN BOOKS, PAPERS, AND DOCUMENTS TO SUCCESSOR. (a) On leaving office, an officer shall deliver all books, papers, and documents relating to the office to the officer's successor. (b) In this section, "officer" includes: (1) each officer selected unde…

Sec. 601.002. PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES BY FIRST ASSISTANT OR CHIEF DEPUTY. (a) The first assistant or chief deputy of a public office in which a physical vacancy occurs shall conduct the affairs of the office until a successor qualifies for the office. (b) The authority of a first a…

Sec. 601.003. REGULAR TERM OF STATE, DISTRICT, COUNTY, OR PRECINCT OFFICE. (a) The regular term of an elective state, district, county, or precinct office begins on January 1 of the year following the general election for state and county officers. (b) A person elected to a regul…

Sec. 601.004. PERSON ELECTED TO UNEXPIRED TERM OF STATE, DISTRICT, COUNTY, OR PRECINCT OFFICE. A person who receives a certificate of election to an unexpired term of an office is entitled to qualify for and assume the duties of the office immediately and shall take office as soo…

Sec. 601.005. GOVERNOR TO COMMISSION STATE OR COUNTY OFFICERS. (a) The governor shall issue a commission to each state or county officer, other than the governor, the lieutenant governor, a state senator, or a state representative, who qualifies for office. (b) The secretary of s…

Sec. 601.006. CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF PERSONS ELECTED TO COUNTY OR PRECINCT OFFICES. (a) On or immediately after January 1 after a general election for state and county officers, each county clerk shall deliver to the secretary of state a certified statement that contains for each…

Sec. 601.007. EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE. On demand of a citizen of this state, the comptroller, a commissioners court, a county treasurer, or any other officer of the state or of a municipality who is authorized by law to make, order, or audit payment to an officer of …

Sec. 601.008. UNAUTHORIZED OFFICERS. (a) An officer or court of this state or of a municipality may not make, order, allow, or audit payment of a person's claim for compensation, fees, perquisites, or services as an officer of the state or of the municipality unless the person: (…

Sec. 601.009. ELECTED OFFICER MUST BE REGISTERED VOTER. (a) A person may not qualify for a public elective office unless the person is a registered voter. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to an office for which the federal or state constitution prescribes exclusive qualification…