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.

Advisory Opinion Request
AOR-449. The Ethics Commission has been asked to consider whether a legislator 
may have an employment relationship with a law firm that includes registered 
lobbyists among its partners, owners, or associates or with a law firm that owns 
a lobby firm.
TRD-9813606
Tom Harrison
Executive Director
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: August 26, 1998

Opinions
EAO-401 (AOR-439). Whether Government Code section 572.023(b)(11) requires an 
officeholder to report expenses paid in connection with a trip to make a speech 
to assist a candidate. 
Summary. A state officer is not required to report the provision of 
transportation, meals, and lodging in connection with a campaign speech for 
someone else under Government Code section 572.023(b)(11) if the candidate on 
whose behalf the state officer makes the campaign speech is required to report 
the expenditures on a campaign finance report.
EAO-402 (AOR-442). Whether the requirement to file an annual personal financial 
disclosure statement applies to the executive head of an institution that is 
identified in Education Code section 61.003(6) as an "other agency of higher 
education."
Summary. The requirement to file an annual personal financial disclosure 
statement applies to the executive head of an institution that is identified in 
Education Code section 61.003(6) as an "other agency of higher education."
EAO-403 (AOR-443). Whether a general-purpose political committee is required to 
file pre-election reports under Election Code section 254.154 if, during the 
period covered by those reports, he committee makes a contribution to support a 
candidate who is unopposed in the election.
Summary. A general-purpose political committee is not required to file pre-
election reports if its only reportable activity during the period covered by 
the pre-election reports is to make a contribution in support of a candidate who 
does not have an opponent whose name is to appear on the ballot in the election.
EAO-404 (AOR-445). Regarding compliance with the disclosure requirement set out 
in Election Code section 255.001 by a political committee that has not crossed 
either of the thresholds set out in Election Code section 253.031(b) and has 
therefore not yet filed a campaign treasurer appointment.   
Summary. A political committee may use its name in the political advertising 
disclosure statement required by Election Code section 255.001 even if the 
committee has not yet filed a campaign treasurer appointment. 
EAO-405 (AOR-446). Whether "a public officeholder, who desires to improve his 
reputation among voters that he believes in family values, may use campaign 
funds to pay for him and his family to attend public events."
Summary. A candidate or officeholder may not use political contributions to pay 
for family recreation or entertainment.
EAO-406 (AOR-447). Regarding the application of the Judicial Campaign Fairness 
Act in a situation in which an individual was selected in June to take the place 
of the deceased winner of a party primary. 
Summary. A judicial candidate named in June to fill a vacancy in a nomination 
may accept political contributions until 120 days after the November general 
election, regardless of whether the candidate has an opponent in the November 
election.
TRD-9813605
Tom Harrison
Executive Director
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: August 26, 1998