2009 Texas Code
GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 5. OPEN GOVERNMENT; ETHICS
CHAPTER 575. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT BY STATE AGENCY  

GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 5. OPEN GOVERNMENT; ETHICS

SUBTITLE B. ETHICS

CHAPTER 575. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT BY STATE AGENCY

Sec. 575.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Gift" means a donation of money or property.

(2) "State agency" means a board, commission, council,

committee, department, office, agency, or other governmental

entity in the executive or judicial branch of state government.

The term does not include an institution of higher education as

defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 575.002. GIFTS OF $500 OR MORE. This chapter applies only

to a gift that has a value of $500 or more.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 575.003. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT BY STATE AGENCY GOVERNING

BOARD. A state agency that has a governing board may accept a

gift only if the agency has the authority to accept the gift and

a majority of the board, in an open meeting, acknowledges the

acceptance of the gift not later than the 90th day after the date

the gift is accepted.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 143, Sec. 1, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 575.004. RECORD OF GIFT. A state agency that accepts a

gift must record the name of the donor, a description of the

gift, and a statement of the purpose of the gift in:

(1) the minutes of the governing board of the agency; or

(2) appropriate agency records, if the agency does not have a

governing board.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 575.005. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT FROM PARTY TO CONTESTED CASE

PROHIBITED. A state agency may not accept a gift from a person

who is a party to a contested case before the agency until the

30th day after the date the decision in the case becomes final

under Section 2001.144. In this section, "contested case" has the

meaning assigned by Section 2001.003.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.