TITLE texas-ethics-commision

Ethics Advisory Opinion

EAO-467. The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked whether certain corporate expenditures for a lobbyist to attend a political fundraiser golf tournament are permissible. (AOR-530)

The lobby law does not prohibit a corporation from making the expenditures for a lobbyist's own transportation, lobbyist lodging, and food and beverages to attend a political fundraiser. If the expenditures were not made with the intent that they be used in connection with a campaign for an elective office or made with the intent to assist an elective officeholder, they are not regulated by Title 15 of the Election Code. A corporation may not pay a lobbyist's entry fee to the golf tournament. The fact that the corporate employee while on corporate time makes the expenditures instead of the corporation making the expenditures does not change the result to the questions discussed above.

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 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.

Natalia Luna Ashley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 18, 2006