This section bars certain people from serving on the board or as employees/trustees of the retirement system, especially when they or close family members work for or own interests in related organizations.
Sec. 815.0031. INELIGIBILITY FOR BOARD AND OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES. (a) A person is not eligible for appointment or election to the board if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the retirement system; or (2) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the retirement system. (b) A paid officer, employee, or consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of insurance or investment may not be a trustee or an employee of the retirement system who is exempt from the state's position classification plan or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group 17, of the position classification salary schedule. (c) A person who is the spouse of a paid officer, manager, or consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of insurance or investment may not be a trustee and may not be an employee of the retirement system who is exempt from the state's position classification plan or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group 17, of the position classification salary schedule. (d) For the purposes of this section, a Texas trade association is 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 interest. (e) A person may not serve as a trustee or act as the general counsel to the board if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a business or an association related to the operation of the board. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 791, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.