Ethics Advisory Opinion Requests
Whether an officeholder may use political contributions to pay for the purchase or rental of business or formal attire typically associated with official duties. (AOR-736.)
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 571.091 of the Government Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 303, Government Code; (4) Chapter 305, Government Code; (5) Chapter 2004, Government Code; (6) Title 15, Election Code; (7) Chapter 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government Code.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 14, 2025.
TRD-202504161
Amanda Arriaga
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: November 14, 2025
Whether a former state employee may accept a job with a company when he participated in a procurement involving that same company during his state service without violating Section 572.069 of the Government Code if he recuses himself from state projects. (AOR-737.)
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 571.091 of the Government Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 303, Government Code; (4) Chapter 305, Government Code; (5) Chapter 2004, Government Code; (6) Title 15, Election Code; (7) Chapter 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government Code.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 14, 2025.
TRD-202504162
Amanda Arriaga
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: November 14, 2025
Whether a public servant may accept admission to the Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals Program. (AOR-738.)
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 571.091 of the Government Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 303, Government Code; (4) Chapter 305, Government Code; (5) Chapter 2004, Government Code; (6) Title 15, Election Code; (7) Chapter 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government Code.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 14, 2025.
TRD-202504163
Amanda Arriaga
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: November 14, 2025
Whether representing a party before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) in a contested matter against a state agency of previous employment constitutes an appearance before that state agency for the purposes of Texas Government Code § 572.054(a). (AOR-739.)
The Texas Ethics Commission is authorized by section 571.091 of the Government Code to issue advisory opinions in regard to the following statutes: (1) Chapter 572, Government Code; (2) Chapter 302, Government Code; (3) Chapter 303, Government Code; (4) Chapter 305, Government Code; (5) Chapter 2004, Government Code; (6) Title 15, Election Code; (7) Chapter 159, Local Government Code; (8) Chapter 36, Penal Code; (9) Chapter 39, Penal Code; (10) Section 2152.064, Government Code; and (11) Section 2155.003, Government Code.
Questions on particular submissions should be addressed to the Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-2070, (512) 463-5800 or opinions@ethics.state.tx.us.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 14, 2025.
TRD-202504164
Amanda Arriaga
General Counsel
Texas Ethics Commission
Filed: November 14, 2025