Texas Ethics Commission

The Sam Houston State Office Building houses the Texas Ethics Commission's offices

The Texas Ethics Commission was established in 1991 to oversee and provide guidance on various public ethics laws within the state of Texas. The agency's main office is located on the 10th Floor of the Sam Houston State Office Building at 201 East 14th Street in Downtown Austin.[1][2]

Instituted through a state constitutional amendment, the Commission was approved by Texas voters on November 5, 1991, as per Article III, Section 24a. It subsequently took over the responsibilities previously held by the Texas Ethics Advisory Commission.[3]

The Commission comprises eight members, with sitting legislators prohibited from joining. Appointments are divided with the Governor selecting four, the Lt. Governor two, and the Speaker of the House the remaining two. These appointments come equally from nominations provided by both Republican and Democratic members of the Texas Legislature. In addition to other duties, the Commission recommends the salaries and daily allowances for members of the Texas Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.[4]

The Texas Legislature has further entrusted the Commission with various other duties. This includes managing the filing of financial disclosure statements by government officials and overseeing the submission of campaign finance regulatory statements by candidates and those engaging in campaign-related political speech.

  1. ^ "Contact Us." Texas Ethics Commission. Accessed August 30, 2008. "201 East 14th St., 10th Floor Austin, TX 78701"
  2. ^ "Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 9, 1992.." University of North Texas. Accessed August 30, 2008. "[...]the Sam Houston State Office Building, 201 East 14th Street, Austin, Texas 78701."
  3. ^ "Texas Ethics Commission". The Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 2007-03-08.
  4. ^ "Constitutional and Statutory Duties".