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.

Ethics Advisory Opinions
EAO-356 (AOR-394). Whether a state representative may use political 
contributions to pay for transportation and hotel expenses to attend the 
swearing-in ceremony of a United States Congressman from Texas.
SUMMARY 
Whether a member of the Texas Legislature may use political contributions to pay 
expenses in connection with a swearing-in ceremony for a member of the United 
States Congress depends on the intent with which the expenditures are made.  
EAO-357 (AOR-395). Whether a legislative caucus may continue to receive 
contributions of personal services during the contribution moratorium period if 
the agreement to provide the services was entered into before the moratorium 
period. 
SUMMARY 
A legislative caucus must refuse contributions of personal services from 
nonmembers during the moratorium period imposed by Election Code sec.253.0341 
even if the agreement to provide the services was entered into before the start 
of the moratorium period. 
Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 23, 1997.
TRD-9701101
Tom Harrison
Executive Director
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: January 24, 1997