Disclosure of Certain Relationships

Disclosure of Certain Relationships

During the 84th Legislative Regular Session (2013), the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 23 requiring the disclosure of certain relations. Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code now requires that any vendor or person considering doing business with a local government entity complete a disclosure questionnaire regarding the vendor’s or person’s affiliation or business relationship with any “local government officer” that might cause a conflict of interest. A local government officer would be defined as any member of the Board of Directors and/or the General Manager.

It is the vendor’s or person’s responsibility to submit the questionnaire. Form CIQ, developed by the Texas Ethics Commission, must be filed with the District no later than the seventh business day after a person becomes aware of the potential conflict. Failure to comply with the disclosure requirements may result in a Class C misdemeanor offense. More information on the Conflicts of Interest requirements may be found at http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/