TITLE texas-ethics-commision

Ethics Advisory Opinion

EAO-460. The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked to consider the meaning of the phrase "not reimbursable with public money" in section 251.001(9) of the Election Code. The specific question is whether a school board member's expenditures for tickets to school events are "reimbursable with public funds" if the board member purchases tickets rather than using the free pass provided to school board members.(AOR -520)

Expenditures for tickets are not "reimbursable with public funds" in a situation in which the payor chooses to make the expenditures rather than to use a free pass issued by a government body.

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 36, Penal Code; and (8) Chapter 39, Penal 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.

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 19, 2005