TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

Ethics Advisory Opinion Requests

Whether submitting inquiries or requesting a formal written opinion from certain state officials on behalf of an entity classified as a "foreign adversary" would require registration under Chapter 305, Texas Government Code. (AOR-740.)

The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 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 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government 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 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas on January 26, 2026.

TRD-202600290

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 26, 2026

Whether a video recorded with students at a charter school is political advertising for the purposes of Sections 255.003 and 255.001 of the Election Code. (AOR-741.)

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 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 26, 2026.

TRD-202600291

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 26, 2026

Whether a current state employee may accept a job with a company when he participated in a procurement involving that same company during his state service without violating Section 572.069 of the Government Code. (AOR-742.)

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 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 26, 2026.

TRD-202600292

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 26, 2026

Whether a tax rate election ("TRE") flier prepared by a school district (the "district") is political advertising for the purposes of Sections 255.003 of the Election Code. (AOR-744.)

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 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 26, 2026.

TRD-202600293

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 26, 2026

Whether a video constitutes political advertising for the purposes of the Election Code's prohibition against using public funds for political advertising. (AOR-745.)

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 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 26, 2026.

TRD-202600294

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Filed: January 26, 2026