Local government officers must file a conflicts disclosure statement when specified vendor, gift, or family-relationship conditions are met.
Sec. 176.003. CONFLICTS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT REQUIRED. (a) A local government officer shall file a conflicts disclosure statement with respect to a vendor if: (1) the vendor enters into a contract with the local governmental entity or the local governmental entity is considering entering into a contract with the vendor; and (2) the vendor: (A) has an employment or other business relationship with the local government officer or a family member of the officer that results in the officer or family member receiving taxable income, other than investment income, that exceeds $2,500 during the 12-month period preceding the date that the officer becomes aware that: (i) a contract between the local governmental entity and vendor has been executed; or (ii) the local governmental entity is considering entering into a contract with the vendor; (B) has given to the local government officer or a family member of the officer one or more gifts that have an aggregate value of more than $100 in the 12-month period preceding the date the officer becomes aware that: (i) a contract between the local governmental entity and vendor has been executed; or (ii) the local governmental entity is considering entering into a contract with the vendor; or (C) has a family relationship with the local government officer. (a-1) A local government officer is not required to file a conflicts disclosure statement in relation to a gift accepted by the officer or a family member of the officer if the gift is: (1) a political contribution as defined by Title 15, Election Code; or (2) food accepted as a guest. (a-2) A local government officer is not required to file a conflicts disclosure statement under Subsection (a) if the local governmental entity or vendor described by that subsection is an administrative agency created under Section 791.013, Government Code. (b) A local government officer shall file the conflicts disclosure statement with the records administrator of the local governmental entity not later than 5 p.m. on the seventh business day after the date on which the officer becomes aware of the facts that require the filing of the statement under Subsection (a). (c) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 , Sec. 9(1), eff. September 1, 2015. (d) Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 , Sec. 9(1), eff. September 1, 2015. (e) The commission shall adopt the conflicts disclosure statement for local government officers for use under this section. The conflicts disclosure statement must include: (1) a requirement that each local government officer disclose: (A) an employment or other business relationship described by Subsection (a)(2)(A), including the nature and extent of the relationship; and (B) gifts accepted by the local government officer and any family member of the officer from a vendor during the 12-month period described by Subsection (a)(2)(B) if the aggregate value of the gifts accepted by the officer or a family member from that vendor exceeds $100; (2) an acknowledgment from the local government officer that: (A) the disclosure applies to each family member of the officer; and (B) the statement covers the 12-month period described by Subsection (a)(2)(B); and (3) the signature of the local government officer acknowledging that the statement is made under oath under penalty of perjury. 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. 3, eff. May 25, 2007. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 (H.B. 23), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 (H.B. 23), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 989 (H.B. 23), Sec. 9(1), eff. September 1, 2015.