TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

Whether a member of the Texas House of Representatives may accept office space contributed by a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Whether a member of the Texas House of Representatives may continue to use contributed office space for a district office through the moratorium on political contributions prescribed by Section 253.034 of the Election Code. (AOR-709.)

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 February 25, 2025.

TRD-202500674

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: February 21, 2025

Whether a judge may use political contributions to pay for reasonable travel expenses associated with attending a naval ceremony as an invited local dignitary. (AOR-719.)

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 February 25, 2025.

TRD-202500675

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: February 21, 2025

Whether the use of a corporate aircraft may be provided to members of the legislature to attend an event at which the legislators will address an audience and learn about issues facing a West Texas border city. (AOR-720.)

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 February 25, 2025.

TRD-202500676

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: February 21, 2025

At what moment does a particular permitting or enforcement matter come within the "official responsibility" of a TCEQ commissioner for purposes of the Section 572.054(b) revolving door prohibition? Does a TCEQ commissioner "participate" in all matters for which a TCEQ investigation was conducted or an application/registration was received before the commissioner left office or only those matters that were presented to the commissioners for consideration? (AOR-721.)

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 February 25, 2025.

TRD-202500677

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: February 21, 2025

Whether a part-time legislative staff member may accept outside employment assisting a registered lobbyist. (AOR-722.)

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 February 25, 2025.

TRD-202500678

Jim Tinley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: February 21, 2025