Ethics Advisory Opinion Requests
Whether members of the State Employee Charitable Campaign Policy Committee are appointed officers required to file a Personal Financial Statement. (AOR-731.)
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 September 2, 2025.
TRD-202503133
Natalie McDermon
Interim General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: September 2, 2025
Whether a member of the legislature may use campaign funds to reimburse lodging and meal expenses incurred in connection with officeholder duties during the interim if the member also receives a state per diem for that day of legislative work. (AOR-732.)
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 September 2, 2025.
TRD-202503134
Natalie McDermon
Interim General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: September 2, 2025
Whether certain Public Service Announcements (PSAs) produced by a nonprofit corporation and featuring Texas state elected officials would trigger any campaign finance reporting requirements or require a political advertising disclosure statement. (AOR-733.)
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 September 2, 2025.
TRD-202503136
Natalie McDermon
Interim General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: September 2, 2025
Whether a current State Board of Education (SBOE) member can provide continuing professional development to educators in return for compensation during their SBOE service. (AOR-734.)
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 September 2, 2025.
TRD-202503137
Natalie McDermon
Interim General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: September 2, 2025
Whether the TEC has authority to assess a civil penalty for a late personal financial statement filed by a director of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. (AOR-735.)
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 September 2, 2025.
TRD-202503138
Natalie McDermon
Interim General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: September 2, 2025