TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by Government Code, sec.571.091, to 
issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: the Government 
Code, Chapter 302; the Government Code, Chapter 305; the Government Code, 
Chapter 572; the Election Code, Title 15; the Penal Code, Chapter 36; and the 
Penal Code, Chapter 39.
Requests for copies of the full text of opinions or questions on particular 
submissions should be addressed to the Office of the Texas Ethics Commission, 
P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800.

Texas Ethics Commission
Opinions
EAO-213. Scope of the Government Code, sec.572.055.
Summary of Opinion.
The term "individual" in the Government Code, sec.572.055, means a natural 
person and does not include artificial persons. The restriction in sec.572.055 
that applies to an individual "directly or indirectly connected to "a business 
entity applies to owners and employees of a business entity and to creditors 
whose right to payment depends on the profits of the business. The restriction 
does not apply to customers of a business entity.
EAO-214. Whether a group of district judges may accept an offer to participate 
without charge in an on-line computer service.
Summary of Opinion.
The laws subject interpretation by the Texas Ethics Commission apply to gifts to 
individuals, not gifts to governmental bodies.
EAO-215. Whether a joint venture whose marriage venturer and part-owner is a 
corporation may make political contributions.
Summary of Opinion.
A partnership including one or more corporate partners is subject to the same 
restrictions on political activity that apply to corporations.
EAO-216. Whether an incorporated trade association may pay a late fine assessed 
against the treasurer of its affiliated general-purpose political committee from 
corporate funds.
Summary of Opinion.
A corporation may pay an administrative fine assessed under Title 15 of the 
Election Code against the treasurer of a general-purpose committee that the 
corporation sponsors.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics 
Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on June 14, 1994.
TRD-9442452
Sarah Woelk
Director, Advisory Opinions
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: June 15, 1994