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

Ethics Advisory Opinions
EAO-278 (AOR-311). Whether the "revolving door" provisions restrict former 
members of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection from serving on statutory 
advisory committees and councils of the commission.
Summary of Opinion.
The revolving door provisions in the Government Code, sec.572.054 do not 
prohibit a former member of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection from serving 
on an advisory committee to the commission.
EAO-279 (AOR-313). Whether a senior judge may use political funds to pay for 
continuing legal education.
Summary of Opinion.
A senior judge may use surplus political funds to pay for continuing legal 
education courses.
EAO-280 (AOR-314). Whether an incorporated hospital may finance certain costs 
connected with fundraising for a political committee.
Summary of Opinion.
An incorporated hospital may finance the costs of green fees and small token 
prizes in connection with a golf tournament fundraiser for the hospital's 
general-purpose committee. The hospital may pay for t-shirts sold to corporate 
employees and their families to raise funds for the political committee if the 
sale complies with the Federal Election Commission's "one-third" rule.
EAO-281 (AOR-315). Whether a specific-purpose political committee may transfer 
its remaining funds to the judge it supports without violating the 1995 Judicial 
Campaign Fairness Act.
Summary of Opinon.
A transfer between a judicial candidate and a specific-purpose political 
committee supporting the candidate is not subject to the contribution limits in 
the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
EAO-282 (AOR-316). Whether chapter 36 of the Penal Code prohibits city employees 
from accepting discounts from child care providers under a group discount 
program offered to personnel of large employers.
Summary of Opinion.
City employees may accept discounts from child care providers under a group 
discount program offered to personnel of large employers in the private as well 
as the public sector.
EAO-283 (AOR-317). Whether a legislator may accept payment from a law firm for 
services rendered before the legislator held public office.
Summary of Opinion.
A legislator may accept payment from a law firm for services rendered to the law 
firm as long as the services were rendered in a capacity other than as a public 
servant.
EAO-284 (AOR-318). Whether a judge may use political contributions to pay for 
social events sponsored by a bar association.
Summary of Opinion.
A judge may use political contributions to pay the expenses of a social event 
sponsored by a bar association as long as the payments are in connection with a 
judge's activities as a candidate or officeholder.
EAO-285 (AOR-319). The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked to construe the 
meaning of "participated" in the revolving door provision set out in the 
Government Code, sec.572.054(b).
Summary of Opinion.
The revolving door law restricts certain former state officers and employees 
from receiving compensation in connection with any matter over which the former 
officer or employee had authority, even if the former officer or employee was 
not aware his subordinates were working on the matter. 
EAO-286 (AOR-320). Whether it is permissible to contribute surplus funds from a 
campaign for Speaker of the House of Representatives to charitable 
organizations.
Summary of Opinion.
It is permissible to donate surplus funds from a campaign for speaker of the 
House of Representatives to a recognized tax- exempt charitable organization. 
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by the Government Code, sec.571.091 to 
issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, 
Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 305, Government 
Code; (4) Title 15, Election Code; (5) Chapter 36, Penal Code; and (6) Chapter 
39, Penal Code.
EAO-287 (AOR-321). Whether members of a legislative committee may accept meals, 
lodging, and transportation (in vans) from public universities and community 
colleges in connection with a committee visit to the universities and colleges.
Summary of Opinion.
Members of the legislature may accept food, transportation, and lodging from 
public universities and community colleges in connection with a visits to the 
public universities and community colleges as long as representatives of the 
universities and community colleges are present during the visit.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 19, 1995.
9513474
Lucia Dodson
Director, Advisory Opinions
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: October 19, 1995