A person is barred from serving on an authority’s board, and from acting as its general counsel in one case, if the person or spouse has specified ties to regulated toll-road businesses, Texas road trade associations, lobbyist registration, or benefits from the authority.
Sec. 366.252. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. (a) A person is not eligible to serve on the board of an authority if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is registered, certified, or licensed by an occupational regulatory agency in the field of toll road construction, maintenance, or operation; (2) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization regulated by the authority or receiving money from the authority; (3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving money from the authority, other than compensation for acquisition of turnpike right-of-way; (4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or money from the authority, other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for board membership, attendance, or expenses, or for compensation for acquisition of turnpike right-of-way; (5) is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of road construction, maintenance, or operation; or (6) is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the authority. (b) A person may not act as the general counsel to an authority if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the authority. (c) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interests. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 7.24, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.