H.B. 914: CONFLICTS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Effective January 1, 2006, members of a municipal governing body may be required to file a conflicts disclosure statement with their city records administrator. Failure to complete and file a statement shall be a Class C misdemeanor. A summary of the requirements of the bill may be found in the June 10, 2005, issue of the TML Legislative Update. As required, the Texas Ethics Commission adopted the form for the required statement on November 2, 2005.

The form can be found at www.ethics.state.tx.us/whatsnew/conflict_forms.htm.
The form is simple, but does not provide detailed information regarding who specifically is required to file the statement. TML will develop additional written guidance regarding this matter in the near future, and will continue discussions with the commission in an attempt to improve the form.

Conflicts disclosure statements must be filed by a member of a municipal governing body only under the following circumstances:

1. the elected official, or a member of the elected official’s family, has an employment or other business relationship with any person who does business with the city or is being considered by the city for a business relationship, and that relationship results in income for the elected official or the family member; or
    

2. the elected official, or a member of the elected official’s family, has received certain gifts valued at more than $250 from any person who does business with the city or is being considered by the city for a business relationship.

If you have questions, feel free to contact the TML Legal Department at (512) 231-7400.