People may give inaugural contributions, and the secretary of state must process, receipt, file, and index them under the rules stated here.
Sec. 401.004. INAUGURAL CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) A person may contribute funds, services, or other things of value to pay the expenses of or otherwise provide for an inauguration. This contribution is not a political contribution for purposes of state law regulating political contributions or prohibiting a contribution by a corporation or labor organization. (b) A contribution may be made to the inaugural committee or the secretary of state. If the secretary of state receives a contribution while the inaugural committee exists, the secretary of state shall deliver the contribution to the committee. If the secretary of state receives a contribution at any other time, the secretary of state shall transmit the contribution to the comptroller, who shall deposit it in the state treasury to the credit of the inaugural fund. (c) On receipt of a contribution, the secretary of state shall execute duplicate copies of a receipt, give one copy to the contributor, and retain the other. The receipt must show: (1) the name and mailing address of the contributor; (2) the amount of the contribution; (3) the date of the contribution; and (4) that the contribution was received to pay inaugural expenses. (d) The secretary of state shall keep the receipt on file in the office of the secretary of state for at least four years and shall maintain an index of the receipts, arranged alphabetically by contributor, showing the date of the contribution, the name and mailing address of the contributor, and the amount of each contribution. The index and receipts are public information. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 147, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 8.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.