TITLE texas-ethics-commision

Advisory Opinion Requests

AOR-451. The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked whether a political party club may accept contributions from corporations for the purpose of funding a scholarship.

AOR-452. The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked whether a judicial candidate subject to the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act may accept a campaign contribution in connection with a primary election after the primary election even if the candidate has no outstanding obligations in connection with the primary election.

TRD-9818380

Tom Harrison

Executive Director

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: December 16, 1998


AOR-452. Closed. Withdrawn by requestor.

TRD-9818381

Tom Harrison

Executive Director

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: December 16, 1998


Opinions

EAO-407. (AOR-448). Whether a legislator may use political contributions to rent a tuxedo for the legislative gala on the eve of the first day of a regular legislative session or for a nonprofit charity function.

Summary. A legislator may use political contributions to rent a tuxedo for the legislative gala on the eve of the first day of a regular legislative session. A legislator may use political contributions to rent a tuxedo for attendance at a nonprofit charity event if the legislator attends the event as an activity of a public officeholder.

EAO-408. (AOR-449 and AOR-450). Regarding private employment by members of the legislature.

Summary. A legislator is not subject to a general prohibition on employment by a law firm or by an accounting and investment firm as long as the legislator is performing the work in a capacity other than as a legislator and as long as the legislator's compensation reflects the actual value of the work performed. Specific circumstances could arise, however, in which such employment might not be in keeping with the standards of conduct in Government Code section 572.051.

EAO-409. (AOR-451). . Whether a political party club may accept contributions from corporations for the purpose of funding a scholarship.

Summary. A general-purpose political committee may accept corporate contributions earmarked for a scholarship fund as long as the committee's expenditures in connection with the scholarship fund are not made in connection with a campaign for elective office or on a measure or for officeholder purposes.

TRD-9818382

Tom Harrison

Executive Director

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: December 16, 1998