Texas Ethics Commission

Texas Ethics Commission

Advisory Opinion Request

AOR-548. The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked to consider whether in a situation where a person is the beneficiary of a trust that the person created, but does not manage the trust and is not aware of the investments that the trustees of the trust have authorized, must the person take affirmative action to determine the identity of trust assets from which over $500 was received for purposes of completing a personal financial statement as required under Chapter 572 of the Government Code or may the person indicate that such assets are unknown?

The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by §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.

Natalia Luna Ashley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: July 8, 2009