Vendors with certain relationships to a local governmental entity must file a conflict of interest questionnaire, and updates are required when information becomes inaccurate.
Sec. 176.006. DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR VENDORS AND OTHER PERSONS; QUESTIONNAIRE. (a) A vendor shall file a completed conflict of interest questionnaire if the vendor has a business relationship with a local governmental entity and: (1) has an employment or other business relationship with a local government officer of that local governmental entity, or a family member of the officer, described by Section 176.003(a)(2)(A); (2) has given a local government officer of that local governmental entity, or a family member of the officer, one or more gifts with the aggregate value specified by Section 176.003(a)(2)(B), excluding any gift described by Section 176.003(a-1); or (3) has a family relationship with a local government officer of that local governmental entity. (a-1) The completed conflict of interest questionnaire must be filed with the appropriate records administrator not later than the seventh business day after the later of: (1) the date that the vendor: (A) begins discussions or negotiations to enter into a contract with the local governmental entity; or (B) submits to the local governmental entity an application, response to a request for proposals or bids, correspondence, or another writing related to a potential contract with the local governmental entity; or (2) the date the vendor becomes aware: (A) of an employment or other business relationship with a local government officer, or a family member of the officer, described by Subsection (a); (B) that the vendor has given one or more gifts described by Subsection (a); or (C) of a family relationship with a local government officer. (b) The commission shall adopt a conflict of interest questionnaire for use under this section that requires disclosure of a vendor's business and family relationships with a local governmental entity. (c) The questionnaire adopted under Subsection (b) must require, for the local governmental entity with respect to which the questionnaire is filed, that the vendor filing the questionnaire: (1) describe each employment or business and family relationship the vendor has with each local government officer of the local governmental entity; (2) identify each employment or business relationship described by Subdivision (1) with respect to which the local government officer receives, or is likely to receive, taxable income, other than investment income, from the vendor; (3) identify each employment or business relationship described by Subdivision (1) with respect to which the vendor receives, or is likely to receive, taxable income, other than investment income, that: (A) is received from, or at the direction of, a local government officer of the local governmental entity; and (B) is not received from the local governmental entity; and (4) describe each employment or business relationship with a corporation or other business entity with respect to which a local government officer of the local governmental entity: (A) serves as an officer or director; or (B) holds an ownership interest of one percent or more. (d) A vendor shall file an updated completed questionnaire with the appropriate records administrator not later than the seventh business day after the date on which the vendor becomes aware of an event that would make a statement in the questionnaire incomplete or inaccurate. (e) A person who is both a local government officer and a vendor of a local governmental entity is required to file the questionnaire required by Subsection (a)(1) only if the person: (1) enters or seeks to enter into a contract with the local governmental entity; or (2) is an agent of a person who enters or seeks to enter into a contract with the local governmental entity. (f) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 , Sec. 9(3), eff. September 1, 2015. (g) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 , Sec. 9(3), eff. September 1, 2015. (h) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 , Sec. 9(3), eff. September 1, 2015. (i) The validity of a contract between a vendor and a local governmental entity is not affected solely because the vendor fails to comply with this section. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1014 (H.B. 914), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 226 (H.B. 1491), Sec. 6, eff. May 25, 2007. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 226 (H.B. 1491), Sec. 9, eff. May 25, 2007. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 15.005, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 (H.B. 23), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 (H.B. 23), Sec. 9(3), eff. September 1, 2015.