EAO-606: Whether a Texas Limited Liability Company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Master Limited Partnership that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange is prohibited by Chapter 253 of the Election Code from making certain political contributions. (AOR-693).
SUMMARY
A Texas Limited Liability Company that is owned by a partnership whose shares are publicly-traded on an exchange is subject to the Chapter 253 corporate contribution prohibition if any share of the partnership is owned by a corporation.
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.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on June 18, 2024.
TRD-202402700
Jim Tinley
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: June 20, 2024
EAO-607: Whether an officer or employee of a political subdivision who leases a residence to an employee may allow the employee to place a sign endorsing a candidate or a measure in the yard of the leased residence. (AOR-706).
SUMMARY
Under the facts presented in this opinion, an officer or employee of a political subdivision does not violate Section 255.003(a) by allowing a resident-employee to place political advertising outside of a residence owned by the ISD.
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.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on June 18, 2024.
TRD-202402701
Jim Tinley
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: June 20, 2024
EAO-608: Whether a PFS filer who owns a law firm that holds settlement funds on behalf of a client must report the settlement funds on the filer's personal financial statement filed under Chapter 572 of the Government Code. (AOR-708).
SUMMARY
Settlement funds held by law firm in trust for client are not the property of the law firm and do not have to be disclosed on a PFS.
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.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on June 18, 2024.
TRD-202402702
Jim Tinley
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: June 20, 2024