From: Subject: 81(R) HB 2301 - Introduced version - Bill Text Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:03:12 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01C9BE8B.50E97AE0" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C9BE8B.50E97AE0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/search/DocViewer.aspx?K2DocKey=odbc%3a%2f%2fTLO%2fTLO.dbo.vwCurrBillDocs%2f81%2fR%2fH%2fB%2f02301%2f1%2fB%40TloCurrBillDocs&QueryText=ethics&HighlightType=1 =EF=BB=BF 81(R) HB 2301 - = Introduced version - Bill Text
  81R7863 ESH-F
 
  By: Marquez H.B. No. 2301
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of = a county=20 ethics commission in certain
  counties; providing civil = and criminal=20 penalties.
         BE IT = ENACTED BY THE=20 LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.&nbs= p; Subtitle=20 B, Title 5, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter = 161 to read=20 as follows:
  CHAPTER = 161. COUNTY=20 ETHICS COMMISSION IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
  SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL=20 PROVISIONS
         Sec. = ;161.001.  APPLICABILITY=20 OF CHAPTER.  This chapter =
  applies only to a county = with a=20 population of 650,000 or more that
  is located on the = international=20 border.
         Sec. 161.00= 2.  DEFINITIONS. =20 In this chapter:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  "Commission"=20 means a county ethics commission
  created under this=20 chapter.
            &= nbsp;  (2)  "Commission=20 staff" means county employees
  assigned to provide = administrative=20 support to the commission.
            &= nbsp;  (3)  "County=20 affiliate" means a person described and
  determined by order of = the=20 commissioners court on recommendation of
  the commission. As = determined by the=20 commissioners court, the term
  includes:
            &= nbsp;        (A) <= /U> any=20 person whose goods and services are
  purchased under the = terms of a=20 purchase order or contractual
  agreement with the = county;=20 and
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> as=20 determined by the county, any other
  persons doing business = with the=20 county.
            &= nbsp;  (4)  "County=20 employee" means a person employed by the
  county or a county = officer and=20 includes a person employed in the
  judicial branch of the = county=20 government who is not subject to the
  Code of Judicial = Conduct. The term=20 does not include a county
  officer.
            &= nbsp;  (5)  "County=20 office" means a position held by a county
  officer.
            &= nbsp;  (6)  "County=20 officer" means a county judge, county
  commissioner, county = attorney,=20 sheriff, county tax
  assessor-collector, = county clerk,=20 district clerk, county
  treasurer, county = auditor, county=20 purchasing agent, and constable.
            &= nbsp;  (7)  "County=20 public servant" means a person elected,
  selected, appointed, = employed, or=20 otherwise designated as one of
  the following, even if = the person=20 has not yet qualified for or
  assumed the duties of=20 office:
            &= nbsp;        (A)  a = county officer or county employee;
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> a=20 person appointed by the commissioners court
  or a county officer to a = position on=20 one of the following, whether
  the position is = compensated or=20 not:
            &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;  (i)  an=20 authority, board, bureau,
  commission, committee, = council,=20 department, district, division, or
  office of the county; = or
            &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;  (ii)  a=20 multi-jurisdictional board;
            &= nbsp;        (C) <= /U> an=20 attorney at law or notary public when
  participating in the = performance of=20 a governmental function;
            &= nbsp;        (D) <= /U> a=20 candidate for nomination or election to an
  elected county office; = or
            &= nbsp;        (E) <= /U> a=20 person who is performing a governmental
  function under a claim = of right=20 although the person is not legally
  qualified or authorized = to do=20 so.
            &= nbsp;  (8)  "Lobbyist"=20 means a person who communicates with a
  county officer or county = employee to=20 influence official action.
  [Sections = 161.003-161.050 reserved for expansion]
  SUBCHAPTER B.=20  CREATION OF COMMISSION; APPOINTMENT OF = COMMISSION=20
  MEMBERS
         Sec. = ;161.051.  CREATION=20 OF COMMISSION BY ORDER.  (a) =  The=20
  commissioners court of a = county, by=20 an order adopted by a majority
  of the court's full = membership, may=20 create a county ethics
  commission.
         (b) =  A=20 copy of an order adopted under this section shall be =
  placed in the minutes of = the court's=20 proceedings. The copy of the
  order is public=20 information.
         Sec. = ;161.052.  CREATION=20 OF COMMISSION BY ELECTION. =20 (a)  A
  county ethics commission may be created by approval of the = system by=20
  a majority of the = qualified voters=20 of the county voting at an
  election called for that = purpose.
         (b) =  The=20 commissioners court by order may call an election on =
  the question of the = creation of a=20 county ethics commission.
         (c) =  The=20 commissioners court shall hold the election called
  under this section on = the first=20 authorized uniform election date
  prescribed by Chapter = 41, Election=20 Code, that allows sufficient
  time for publication of = the notice=20 required by Subsection (d) and
  for compliance with any = other=20 requirements established by law.
         (d) =  In=20 addition to the notice required by Chapter 4,
  Election Code, the = commissioners=20 court must publish in a newspaper
  of general circulation = in the=20 county, and on the home page of the
  county's Internet = website, a=20 substantial copy of the order calling
  the election. The first = newspaper=20 publication must be made on or
  before the 15th day = before the date=20 of the election and continue
  once a week for two = consecutive=20 weeks, and the notice on the
  county's Internet = website shall=20 remain on the home page each day
  beginning not later than = the 16th=20 day before the election and ending
  on the date of the=20 election.
         Sec. = ;161.053.  BALLOT. = The=20 commissioners court shall order
  the ballot at the = election to be=20 printed to provide for voting for
  or against the = proposition:=20 "Creation of a county ethics
  commission."
         Sec. = ;161.054.  RESULT=20 OF ELECTION. If the proposition is =
  approved, the = commissioners court=20 shall declare the result and by
  order create the county = ethics commission. A copy of the order
  creating the commission = shall be=20 placed in the minutes of the
  court's = proceedings.
         Sec. = ;161.055.  APPOINTMENT=20 OF COMMISSION. (a)  The
  commission is composed = of:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  five=20 members, each of whom is appointed by the
  county judge or a county = commissioner; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  four=20 public representative members, appointed as
  provided by this = section.
         (b) =  Not=20 later than the 60th day after the date of the order
  creating the commission = as provided=20 in Section 161.051 or Section
  161.054:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 county judge and each county commissioner
  shall each appoint one = member of the=20 commission; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 commissioners court shall order publication of
  a notice seeking = applicants for four=20 public representative members
  of the = commission.
         (c) =  The=20 commissioners court shall set the date for the first =
  meeting of the initial = members=20 appointed by the county judge and the
  commissioners court. The = first=20 meeting must be set not earlier than
  the 60th day after the = date of the=20 order creating the commission and
  not later than the 90th = day after=20 the date of that order.
         (d) =  At=20 the first meeting of the commission, the initial
  members shall elect one = member as=20 chair of the commission.
         (e) =  Not=20 later than the 120th day after the date of the order =
  creating the commission, = the initial=20 members shall appoint four
  public representatives = from the=20 applications received pursuant to
  Subsection (b)(2). After = the initial=20 public representatives are
  appointed, the entire = board shall=20 appoint the successor public
  representatives.
         Sec. = ;161.056.  ELIGIBILITY.=20  (a)  To be eligible for =
  appointment to the = commission, a=20 person must:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  be=20 at least 25 years old; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  have=20 resided in the county for the two years
  immediately preceding = the date on=20 which the person's term will
  begin.
         (b) =  A=20 person is not eligible for appointment to the
  commission if the person = is:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  an=20 elected officer;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  a=20 county employee;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  a=20 county affiliate;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  a=20 person employed as a lobbyist;
            &= nbsp;  (5)  a=20 person convicted of a misdemeanor involving
  moral turpitude or a = felony;=20 or
            &= nbsp;  (6)  a=20 person who is delinquent in payment of local,
  state, or federal = taxes.
         Sec. = ;161.057.  TERMS.=20  (a)  Members of the = commission=20 serve
  staggered terms of two = years, with=20 the terms of four or five members
  expiring each = year.
         (b) =  Notwithstanding=20 Subsection (a), the initial members of
  the commission shall = select by lot=20 five members to serve a term of
  two years and four = members to serve=20 a term of one year.
         Sec. = ;161.058.  VACANCIES.=20  (a)  A vacancy on the = commission=20
  shall be filled for the = remainder of=20 the unexpired term as follows:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  if=20 the vacancy represents a member appointed by
  the county judge or a = county=20 commissioner, the vacancy is filled,
  except as provided by = Subsection=20 (b), by appointment of that
  officer or the officer's = successor-in-office; or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  if=20 the vacancy represents a public representative
  member, by the = commission.
         (b) =  If=20 the county judge or county commissioner, as
  applicable, does not = fill the=20 vacancy before the 60th day after the
  date the position = becomes vacant,=20 the commission may fill the
  vacancy by a majority = vote of the=20 remaining members.
         Sec. = ;161.059.  MEETINGS.=20  (a)  The commission shall = meet on a=20
  regular = basis.
         (b) =  The=20 commission is a governmental body for purpose of
  Chapter 551, Government=20 Code.
         Sec. = ;161.060.  REMOVAL=20 OF COMMISSION MEMBER.  A member of the =
  commission may be = removed as=20 provided by Chapter 87 if, after a
  trial, the jury finds = good cause for=20 removal, including:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  failure=20 to pay local, state, or federal taxes when
  due;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  violation=20 of the ethics code adopted by the
  commission;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  conviction=20 of a felony or misdemeanor;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  excessive=20 absenteeism as determined by the
  commission; = and
            &= nbsp;  (5)  official=20 misconduct.
         Sec. = ;161.061.  LEGAL=20 REPRESENTATION. The county attorney, or
  district attorney, or = criminal=20 district attorney, as appropriate,
  with the duty to = represent the=20 county in civil matters shall
  represent the commission = in all=20 legal matters.
  [Sections = 161.062-161.100 reserved for expansion]
  SUBCHAPTER C.=20 POWERS
         Sec. = ;161.101.  GENERAL=20 POWERS.  (a)  The commission = shall=20
  adopt, publish, and = enforce an ethics code governing county public
  servants.
         (b) =  The=20 commission may adopt or use as a guide any ethics law
  or rule of the United = States, this=20 state, or a political subdivision
  in this state to the = extent that the=20 law or rule promotes the
  purposes of this chapter = and serves=20 the needs of the county.
         (c) =  The=20 commission may adopt bylaws, rules, forms,
  policies, or procedures = to assist in=20 the administration of the
  commission's duties = under this=20 chapter. The commission may be
  guided by Robert's Rules = of Order to=20 the extent that it does not
  conflict with the = constitution and=20 laws of the United States and
  this state or conflict = with other=20 guidelines adopted by the
  commission.
         (d) =  The=20 commission shall be assigned staff by the county and =
  provided access to = county resources=20 to assist in its duties.
         (e) =  The=20 commission shall develop and implement polices that
  provide the public with = information=20 on the commission and the
  ethics code.
         (f) =  The=20 commission may adopt or use as a guide the
  provisions of Subchapter = D or=20 E.
         (g) =  The=20 commission shall enforce the provisions of the
  ethics code by issuing appropriate orders or = recommendations or=20 by
  imposing appropriate=20 penalties.
         Sec. = ;161.102.  ADVISORY=20 OPINIONS.  On its own initiative or =
  on the request of any = person covered=20 by the ethics code adopted by
  the commission, the = commission may=20 issue a written ethics advisory
  opinion regarding the = application of=20 the ethics code to a specified
  existing or hypothetical = factual=20 situation. The commission may not
  issue an opinion that = includes the=20 name of any person who may be
  affected by the opinion. = If made at=20 the request of a person covered
  by the ethics code, the name of that person shall be deemed =
  confidential.
         Sec. = ;161.103.  PUBLIC=20 INTEREST=20 = INFORMATION. (a)  The=20
  commission shall develop = plain-language materials as described by
  this section. The = commission shall=20 post the information on the
  county's Internet = website and make=20 the information otherwise
  available to the = public.
         (b)  T= he=20 materials must include:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 description of:
            &= nbsp;        (A)  th= e=20 commission's responsibilities;
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> the=20 types of conduct that constitute a
  violation of the ethics code adopted by the commission;
            &= nbsp;        (C) <= /U> the=20 types of sanctions the commission may
  impose;
            &= nbsp;        (D) <= /U> the=20 commission's policies and procedures
  relating to complaint = investigation=20 and resolution; and
            &= nbsp;        (E) <= /U> the=20 duties of a person filing a complaint
  with the commission; = and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  a=20 diagram showing the basic steps in the
  commission's procedures = relating to=20 complaint investigation and
  resolution.
         (c) =  The=20 commission shall provide the materials described by
  this section to each = complainant and=20 respondent.
         (d) =  The=20 commission shall adopt a policy to effectively
  distribute materials as = required by=20 this section.
         Sec. = ;161.104.  COMMISSION=20 MEMBER EDUCATION AND TRAINING.  
  (a) =  Not later=20 than the 60th day after the date a person is appointed =
  to the commission, the = person must=20 complete training on the
  following = matters:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 legislation that created the commission;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 role and functions of the commission; and
            &= nbsp;  (3)  the=20 requirements of:
            &= nbsp;        (A) <= /U> the=20 open meetings law, Chapter 551,
  Government = Code;
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> the=20 public information law, Chapter 552,
  Government Code; = and
            &= nbsp;        (C) <= /U> other=20 laws relating to public officials,
  including = conflict-of-interest=20 laws.
         (b) =  A=20 member of the commission must complete subsequent
  training programs on the = following=20 matters:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 ethics code adopted by the commission; = and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 procedural rules adopted by the commission.
         (c) =  Other=20 than the initial appointees and public
  representatives, a = person who is=20 appointed to and qualifies for
  office as a member of = the commission=20 may not vote, deliberate, or be
  counted as a member in = attendance at=20 a meeting of the commission
  until the person = completes a=20 training program that complies with
  this = section.
         Sec. = ;161.105.  EDUCATION=20 AND TRAINING FOR PERSONS COVERED BY
  ETHICS CODE.  (a) =  The=20 commission and commission staff shall provide
  periodic training for = persons=20 covered by the ethics code adopted by
  the commission on at = least a=20 quarterly basis.
         (b) =  The=20 training program must provide information
  regarding:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 ethics code;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 role and functions of the commission; and
            &= nbsp;  (3)  plain-language=20 materials as further described by
  Section = 161.103.
         (c) =  In=20 addition to the qualifications under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 262, before = submitting a=20 bid, responding to a request for
  qualifications or = proposals, or=20 otherwise contracting with the
  county, an officer, = principal, or=20 other person with the authority
  to bind the vendor shall = complete=20 training on the ethics code.
         (d) =  A=20 lobbyist intending to meet with a person covered by
  the ethics code shall complete training on the ethics code.
  [Sections = 161.106-161.150 reserved for expansion]
  SUBCHAPTER D. COMPLAINT=20 PROCEDURES AND HEARINGS
         Sec. 161.15= 1.  DEFINITIONS.=20  In this subchapter:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  "Category=20 One violation" means a violation of the
  ethics code adopted by the commission as to which it = is=20 generally
  not difficult to = ascertain whether=20 the violation occurred or did
  not occur, = including:
            &= nbsp;        (A) <= /U> the=20 failure by a person required to file a
  statement or report = required under=20 the ethics code to:
            &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;  (i)  file=20 the statement or report in a manner
  that complies with = applicable=20 requirements; or
            &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;  (ii)  file=20 the statement or report in a
  timely = manner;
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> a=20 misrepresentation in a report required
  under the ethics code; or
            &= nbsp;        (C) <= /U> a=20 failure to respond in a timely manner to a
  written notice under = Section=20 161.156(b).
            &= nbsp;  (2)  "Category=20 Two violation" means a violation of the
  ethics code adopted by the commission that is not a = Category=20 One
  violation.
         Sec. = ;161.152.  COMPLAINT=20 PROCEDURES AND HEARINGS. The
  commission may adopt the = complaint=20 procedures and hearings set
  forth in this = subchapter.
         Sec. = ;161.153.  HEARINGS=20 AND SETTLEMENT.  (a)  The = commission=20
  may:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  hold=20 hearings, on its own motion adopted by an
  affirmative vote of at = least six=20 commission members or on a sworn
  complaint, and render = decisions on=20 complaints or reports of
  violations as provided = by this=20 chapter; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  agree=20 to the settlement of issues.
         (b) =  The=20 commission may not consider a complaint or vote to
  investigate a matter = outside the=20 commission's jurisdiction.
         Sec. = ;161.154.  CATEGORIZATION=20 OF VIOLATIONS.  An allegation
  of a violation listed as = a Category=20 One violation shall be treated
  as a Category Two = violation if the=20 commission at any time determines
  that:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 allegation arises out of the same set of facts
  as those that give rise = to an=20 allegation of a Category Two
  violation, and the = interests of=20 justice or efficiency require
  resolution of the = allegations=20 together; or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 facts and law related to a particular
  allegation or a defense = to the=20 allegation present a level of
  complexity that prevents = resolution=20 through the preliminary review
  procedures for Category = One=20 violations prescribed by Section
  161.159(a).
         Sec. = ;161.155.  FILING=20 OF COMPLAINT; CONTENTS.  (a) =  An=20
  individual may file with = the=20 commission a sworn complaint, on a form
  prescribed by the = commission,=20 alleging that a person subject to the
  ethics code has violated the ethics code. The commission shall make
  the complaint form = available on the=20 county website.
         (b) =  A=20 complaint filed under this section must be in writing =
  and under oath and must = set forth in=20 simple, concise, and direct
  statements:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 name of the complainant;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 street or mailing address of the complainant;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  the=20 name of each respondent;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  the=20 position or title of each respondent;
            &= nbsp;  (5)  the=20 nature of the alleged violation, including if
  possible the specific = rule or=20 provision of the ethics code alleged
  to have been = violated;
            &= nbsp;  (6)  a=20 statement of the facts constituting the alleged
  violation and the dates = on which or=20 period of time in which the
  alleged violation = occurred;=20 and
            &= nbsp;  (7)  all=20 documents or other material available to the
  complainant that are = relevant to the=20 allegation, a list of all
  documents or other = material within=20 the knowledge of the complainant
  and available to the = complainant=20 that are relevant to the
  allegation but that are = not in the=20 possession of the complainant,
  including the location = of the=20 documents, if known, and a list of all
  documents or other = material within=20 the knowledge of the complainant
  that are unavailable to = the=20 complainant and that are relevant to the
  complaint, including the = location of=20 the documents, if known.
         (c) =  The=20 complaint must be accompanied by an affidavit
  stating either that the = information=20 contained in the complaint is
  correct or that the = complainant has=20 good reason to believe and does
  believe that the = violation occurred.=20 If the complaint is based on
  information and belief, = the=20 complaint shall state the source and
  basis of the information = and belief.=20 The complainant may swear to
  the facts by oath before = a notary=20 public or other authorized
  official.
         (d) =  The=20 complaint must state on its face an allegation that, =
  if true, constitutes a = violation of=20 the ethics code.
         Sec. = ;161.156.  PROCESSING=20 OF COMPLAINT.  (a)  The = commission=20
  shall determine whether = a sworn=20 complaint filed with the commission
  complies with the form = requirements=20 of Section 161.155.
         (b) =  Not=20 later than the 10th business day after the date a
  complaint is filed, the = commission=20 shall send written notice to the
  complainant and the = respondent. The=20 notice must state whether the
  complaint complies with = the form=20 requirements of Section 161.155
  and include the = information required=20 by Section 161.158(d).
         (c) =  If=20 the commission determines that the complaint does not =
  comply with the form = requirements,=20 the commission shall send the
  complaint to the = complainant with=20 the written notice, a statement
  explaining how the = complaint fails=20 to comply, and a copy of the
  rules for filing sworn = complaints.=20 The complainant may resubmit
  the complaint not later = than the=20 21st day after the date the notice
  under Subsection (b) is = mailed. If=20 the commission determines that
  the complaint is not = resubmitted=20 within the 21-day period, the
  commission = shall:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  dismiss=20 the complaint; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  not=20 later than the 10th business day after the date
  of the dismissal, send = written=20 notice to the complainant and the
  respondent of the = dismissal and the=20 grounds for dismissal.
         (d) =  If=20 the commission determines that a complaint is
  resubmitted under = Subsection (c)=20 within the 21-day period but is
  not in proper form, the = commission=20 shall send the notice required
  under Subsection (c), = and the=20 complainant may resubmit the
  complaint under that=20 subsection.
         (e) =  If=20 the commission determines that a complaint returned
  to the complainant under = Subsection=20 (c) or (d) is resubmitted
  within the 21-day period = and that=20 the complaint complies with the
  form requirements, the = commission=20 shall send the written notice
  under Subsection = (b).
         Sec. = ;161.157.  RETALIATION=20 AGAINST COUNTY EMPLOYEE
  REPORTING VIOLATION OF = ETHICS CODE PROHIBITED.  (a)=20  The county may
  not suspend or terminate = the=20 employment of or take other adverse
  action against a county = employee who=20 in good faith files a complaint
  or otherwise reports to = the ethics commission, commission staff, or =
  another law enforcement = authority a=20 violation of the ethics code by
  a person subject to the = ethics code.
         (b) =  The=20 county may not suspend or terminate the employment
  of or take other adverse = action=20 against a county employee who in
  good faith participates = in the=20 complaint processing, preliminary
  review, hearing, or any = other aspect=20 of the investigation and
  resolution by the = commission of an=20 alleged violation of the ethics
  code by a person subject = to the ethics code.
         (c) =  A=20 commission created by a county under this chapter is a =
  part of the "local = governmental=20 entity" for purposes of Section
  554.002, Government = Code.
         (d) =  An=20 ethics code adopted by a commission pursuant to this =
  chapter is a "law" as = defined by=20 Section 554.001, Government Code.
         Sec. = ;161.158.  PRELIMINARY=20 REVIEW: INITIATION.  (a) =  The=20
  commission staff shall = promptly=20 conduct a preliminary review on
  receipt of a written = complaint that=20 is in compliance with the form
  requirements of Section=20 161.155.
         (b) =  On=20 a motion adopted by an affirmative vote of at least
  six commission members, = the=20 commission may initiate a preliminary
  review of the matter = that is the=20 subject of the motion without a
  sworn = complaint.
         (c) =  The=20 commission shall determine in writing whether the
  commission has = jurisdiction over the=20 violation of the ethics code
  provision alleged in a = sworn=20 complaint processed under Section
  161.156.
         (d) =  If=20 the commission determines that it has jurisdiction,
  it shall issue a notice = under=20 Section 161.156(b) that must include:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 statement that the commission has jurisdiction
  over the violation = alleged in the=20 complaint;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  a=20 statement of whether the complaint will be
  processed as a Category = One=20 violation or a Category Two violation,
  subject to = reconsideration as=20 provided for by Section 161.154;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  the=20 date by which the respondent is required to
  respond to the = notice;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  a=20 copy of the complaint and the rules of procedure
  of the = commission;
            &= nbsp;  (5)  a=20 statement of the rights of the respondent;
            &= nbsp;  (6)  a=20 statement inviting the respondent to provide to
  the commission any = information=20 relevant to the complaint; and
            &= nbsp;  (7)  a=20 statement that a failure to timely respond to the
  notice will be treated = as a separate=20 violation.
         (e) =  If=20 the commission determines that the commission does
  not have jurisdiction = over the=20 violation alleged in the complaint,
  the commission = shall:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  dismiss=20 the complaint; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  not=20 later than the 10th business day after the date
  of the dismissal, send = to the=20 complainant and the respondent
  written notice of the = dismissal and=20 the grounds for the dismissal.
         Sec. = ;161.159.  PRELIMINARY=20 REVIEW: RESPONSE BY RESPONDENT.  
  (a) =  If the=20 alleged violation is a Category One violation:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 respondent must respond to the notice required
  by Section 161.156(b) = not later than=20 the 10th business day after the
  date the respondent = receives the=20 notice; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  if=20 the matter is not resolved by agreement between
  the commission and the = respondent=20 before the 30th business day
  after the date the = respondent=20 receives the notice under Section
  161.156(b), the = commission shall set=20 the matter for a preliminary
  review hearing to be = held at the=20 next commission meeting for which
  notice has not yet been=20 posted.
         (b)  I= f=20 the alleged violation is a Category Two violation:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 respondent must respond to the notice required
  by Section 161.156(b) = not later than=20 the 25th business day after the
  date the respondent = receives the=20 notice under Section 161.156(b);
  and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  if=20 the matter is not resolved by agreement between
  the commission and the = respondent=20 before the 75th business day
  after the date the = respondent=20 receives the notice under Section
  161.156(b), the = commission shall set=20 the matter for a preliminary
  review hearing to be = held at the=20 next commission meeting for which
  notice has not yet been=20 posted.
         (c) =  A=20 respondent's failure to timely respond as required by =
  Subsection (a)(1) or = (b)(1) is a=20 Category One violation.
         (d) =  The=20 response required by Subsection (a) or (b) must
  include any challenge = the respondent=20 seeks to raise to the
  commission's exercise of = jurisdiction. In addition, the respondent
  may:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  acknowledge=20 the occurrence or commission of a
  violation;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  deny=20 the allegations contained in the complaint
  and provide evidence = supporting the=20 denial; or
            &= nbsp;  (3)  agree=20 to enter into an assurance of voluntary
  compliance or other = agreed order,=20 which may include an agreement to
  immediately cease and=20 desist.
         (e) =  If=20 the commission sets the matter for a preliminary
  review hearing, the = commission shall=20 promptly send to the
  complainant and the = respondent=20 written notice of the date, time,
  and place of the = preliminary review=20 hearing.
         Sec. = ;161.160.  PRELIMINARY=20 REVIEW: WRITTEN QUESTIONS.  
  During a preliminary = review, the=20 commission staff may submit to the
  complainant or = respondent written=20 questions reasonably intended to
  lead to the discovery of = matters=20 relevant to the investigation.
         Sec. = ;161.161.  PRELIMINARY=20 REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY REVIEW
  PROCEDURES. =  The=20 commission shall adopt procedures for the conduct
  of preliminary reviews = and=20 preliminary review hearings. The
  procedures must = include:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 reasonable time for responding to questions
  submitted by the = commission and=20 commission staff and subpoenas
  issued by the = commission;=20 and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 tolling or extension of otherwise applicable
  deadlines = where:
            &= nbsp;        (A) <= /U> the=20 commission issues a subpoena and the
  commission's meeting = schedule makes=20 it impossible both to provide a
  reasonable time for = response and to=20 comply with the otherwise
  applicable deadlines; = or
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> the=20 commission determines that, despite the
  commission staff's = diligence and the=20 reasonable cooperation of the
  respondent, a matter is = too complex=20 to resolve within the otherwise
  applicable deadlines = without=20 compromising either the commission
  staff's investigation or = the rights=20 of the respondent.
         Sec. = ;161.162.  PRELIMINARY=20 REVIEW HEARING: PROCEDURE.  (a) =  
  The commission shall = conduct a=20 preliminary review hearing if:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  following=20 the preliminary review, the commission
  and the respondent = cannot agree to=20 the disposition of the complaint
  or motion; = or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 respondent in writing requests a hearing.
         (b) =  The=20 commission shall provide written notice to the
  complainant, if any, and = the=20 respondent of the date, time, and place
  the commission will = conduct the=20 preliminary review hearing.
         (c) =  At=20 or after the time the commission provides notice of a =
  preliminary review = hearing, the=20 commission may submit to the
  complainant and the = respondent=20 written questions and require those
  questions to be answered = under oath=20 within a reasonable time.
         (d)  D= uring=20 a preliminary review hearing, the commission:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  may=20 consider all submitted evidence related to the
  complaint or to the = subject matter=20 of a motion under Section
  161.158(b);
            &= nbsp;  (2)  may=20 review any documents or material related to
  the complaint or to the = motion;=20 and
            &= nbsp;  (3)  shall=20 determine whether there is credible evidence
  that provides cause for = the=20 commission to conclude that a violation
  within the jurisdiction = of the=20 commission has occurred.
         (e) =  During=20 a preliminary review hearing, the respondent may
  appear before the = commission with=20 the assistance of counsel, if
  desired by the = respondent, and=20 present any relevant evidence,
  including a written=20 statement.
         Sec. = ;161.163.  PRELIMINARY=20 REVIEW HEARING: RESOLUTION.  (a)=20  
  As soon as practicable = after the=20 completion of a preliminary review
  hearing, the commission = by vote=20 shall issue a decision stating:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  whether=20 there is credible evidence for the
  commission to determine = that a=20 violation within the jurisdiction of
  the commission has = occurred and=20 whether the violation is technical
  or de minimis; = or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  that=20 there is insufficient evidence for the
  commission to determine = whether a=20 violation within the jurisdiction
  of the commission has=20 occurred.
         (b) =  If=20 the commission determines that there is credible
  evidence for the = commission to=20 determine that a violation has
  occurred, the commission = shall=20 resolve and settle the complaint or
  motion to the extent = possible. If=20 the commission successfully
  resolves and settles the = complaint=20 or motion, not later than the
  10th business day after = the date of=20 the final resolution of the
  complaint or motion, the = commission=20 shall send to the complainant,
  if any, and the = respondent a copy of=20 the decision stating the
  commission's = determination and=20 written notice of the resolution and
  the terms of the = resolution. If the=20 commission is unsuccessful in
  resolving and settling = the complaint=20 or motion, the commission
  shall:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  order=20 a formal hearing to be held in accordance
  with Sections 161.164 = through=20 161.167; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  not=20 later than the 10th business day after the date
  of the decision, send to = the=20 complainant, if any, and the
  respondent:
            &= nbsp;        (A)  a = copy of the decision;
            &= nbsp;        (B) <= /U> written=20 notice of the date, time, and place
  of the formal = hearing;
            &= nbsp;        (C) <= /U> a=20 statement of the nature of the alleged
  violation;
            &= nbsp;        (D) <= /U> a=20 description of the evidence of the alleged
  violation;
            &= nbsp;        (E)  a = copy of the complaint or motion;
            &= nbsp;        (F) <= /U> a=20 copy of the commission's rules of
  procedure; = and
            &= nbsp;        (G)  a = statement of the rights of the respondent.
         (c) =  If=20 the commission determines that there is credible
  evidence for the = commission to=20 determine that a violation within
  the jurisdiction of the = commission=20 has not occurred, the commission
  shall:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  dismiss=20 the complaint or motion; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  not=20 later than the fifth business day after the
  date of the dismissal, = send to the=20 complainant, if any, and the
  respondent a copy of the = decision=20 stating the commission's
  determination and = written notice of=20 the dismissal and the grounds
  for = dismissal.
         (d) =  If=20 the commission determines that there is insufficient =
  credible evidence for = the commission=20 to determine that a violation
  within the jurisdiction = of the=20 commission has occurred, the
  commission may dismiss = the complaint=20 or motion or promptly conduct
  a formal hearing under = Sections=20 161.164 through 161.167. Not later
  than the fifth business = day after=20 the date of the commission's
  determination under this = subsection,=20 the commission shall send to
  the complainant, if any, = and the=20 respondent a copy of the decision
  stating the commission's = determination and written notice of the
  grounds for the=20 determination.
         Sec. = ;161.164.  FORMAL=20 HEARING: STANDARD OF EVIDENCE.  
  During a formal hearing, = the=20 commission shall determine by a
  preponderance of the = evidence=20 whether a violation within the
  jurisdiction of the = commission has=20 occurred.
         Sec. = ;161.165.  FORMAL=20 HEARING: SUBPOENAS AND WITNESSES.  
  (a) =  A subpoena=20 or other request to testify shall be served
  sufficiently in advance = of the=20 scheduled appearance at a formal
  hearing to allow a = reasonable=20 period, as determined by the
  commission, for the = person=20 subpoenaed to prepare for the hearing
  and to employ counsel if = desired.
         (b) =  Except=20 as provided by Section 161.166(a)(1), the
  commission may order = that a person=20 may not, except as specifically
  authorized by the = presiding officer,=20 make public the name of a
  witness subpoenaed by = the commission=20 before the date of that
  witness's scheduled=20 appearance.
         (c) =  A=20 witness may read a written statement or present a
  brief oral opening = statement at a=20 formal hearing.
         (d) =  A=20 person whose name is mentioned or who is identified or =
  referred to in testimony = or in=20 statements made by a commission
  member, commission staff = member, or=20 witness and who reasonably
  believes that the = statement tends to=20 adversely affect the person's
  reputation = may:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  request=20 to appear personally before the commission
  to testify in the = person's own=20 behalf; or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  file=20 a sworn statement of facts relevant to the
  testimony or statement = that the=20 person believes adversely affects
  the person's = reputation.
         (e) =  A=20 witness who testifies at a formal hearing must be
  sworn.
         Sec. = ;161.166.  FORMAL=20 HEARING: PROCEDURE.  (a) =  Not later=20
  than the fifth business = day before=20 the date of a scheduled formal
  hearing or on the = granting of a=20 motion for discovery by the
  respondent, the = commission shall=20 provide to the complainant, if
  any, and to the=20 respondent:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 list of proposed witnesses to be called at the
  hearing;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  copies=20 of all documents expected to be introduced
  as exhibits at the = hearing;=20 and
            &= nbsp;  (3)  a=20 brief statement as to the nature of the testimony
  expected to be given by = each witness=20 to be called at the hearing.
         (b) =  The=20 respondent may not be compelled to give evidence or
  testimony that violates = the=20 respondent's right against
  self-incrimination under = the United=20 States Constitution or the
  Texas = Constitution.
         (c) =  The=20 commission shall adopt rules governing discovery,
  hearings, and related = procedures=20 consistent with this chapter and
  Chapter 2001, Government = Code.
         Sec. = ;161.167.  FORMAL=20 HEARING: RESOLUTION.  (a) =  Not later=20
  than the 30th business = day after the=20 date of the formal hearing, the
  commission shall convene = a meeting=20 and by motion shall issue:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 final decision stating the resolution of the
  formal hearing; = and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  a=20 written report stating the commission's findings
  of fact, conclusions of = law, and=20 recommendation of criminal
  referral or imposition = of a civil=20 penalty, if any.
         (b) =  Six=20 members of the commission are required for a quorum
  at a formal = hearing.
         (c) =  Not=20 later than the 10th business day after the date the
  commission issues the = final decision=20 and written report, the
  commission = shall:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  send=20 a copy of the decision and report to the
  complainant, if any, and = to the=20 respondent; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  make=20 a copy of the decision and report available to
  the public during = reasonable=20 business hours.
         Sec. = ;161.168.  STATUS=20 OF COMPLAINT.  (a)  The = commission=20
  shall keep an = information file about=20 each sworn or other complaint
  filed with the = commission. The file=20 must include:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 name of the person who filed the complaint;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 date the complaint is received by the
  commission;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  the=20 subject matter of the complaint;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  the=20 name of each person contacted in relation to
  the = complaint;
            &= nbsp;  (5)  a=20 summary of the results of the review or
  investigation of the = complaint;=20 and
            &= nbsp;  (6)  an=20 explanation of the reason the file was closed,
  if the commission closed = the file=20 without taking action other than
  to investigate the=20 complaint.
         (b) =  The=20 commission shall provide to the person filing the
  complaint and to each = person who is=20 a subject of the complaint a
  copy of the commission's = policies=20 and procedures relating to
  complaint investigation = and=20 resolution.
         (c) =  In=20 addition to the notice required by Sections 161.156
  and 161.167, the = commission, at=20 least quarterly until final
  disposition of a = complaint, shall=20 notify the person who filed the
  complaint and each = person who is a=20 subject of the complaint, if any,
  of the status of the = sworn or other=20 complaint.
         (d) =  The=20 commission shall resolve a complaint within six
  months of its receipt = unless it=20 makes a determination that
  additional time is = required to=20 resolve the matter.  On a
  determination that = additional time=20 is required, the commission may
  extend the investigation = in=20 three-month increments.  Each extension =
  requires separate = approval by the=20 commission.
         (e) =  If=20 the commission does not resolve the matter within six =
  months or within an = authorized=20 extension, the complaint shall be
  deemed to have been = dismissed=20 without prejudice.
         Sec. = ;161.169.  EXTENSION=20 OF DEADLINE.  The commission may, =
  on its own motion or on = the=20 reasonable request of a respondent,
  extend any deadline for = action=20 relating to a sworn complaint,
  motion, preliminary = review hearing,=20 or formal hearing.
         Sec. = ;161.170.  SUBPOENA.=20  (a)  In connection with a = formal=20
  hearing, the commission, = as=20 authorized by this chapter, may
  subpoena and examine = witnesses and=20 documents that directly relate
  to a sworn = complaint.
         (b) =  In=20 connection with a preliminary review, the
  commission, for good = cause and as=20 authorized by this chapter, may
  subpoena documents and = witnesses on=20 application by the commission
  staff and a motion = adopted by a vote=20 of at least five members of the
  commission, for the = purpose of=20 attempting to obtain from the
  documents or witnesses = specifically=20 identified information, if the
  commission reasonably = believes that=20 the specifically identified
  information:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  is=20 likely to be determinative as to whether the
  subject of an = investigation has=20 violated a provision of the ethics
  code;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  can=20 be determined from the documents or is known by
  the witnesses; = and
            &= nbsp;  (3)  is=20 not reasonably available through a less
  intrusive = means.
         (c) =  The=20 commission shall adopt procedures for the issuance
  of subpoenas under this=20 section.
         (d) =  A=20 copy of a subpoena issued under this section must be =
  delivered to the=20 respondent.
         (e) =  At=20 the written request of at least five members of the
  commission, a peace = officer shall=20 serve a subpoena of the
  commission in the manner = prescribed=20 for service of a district court
  subpoena.
         (f) =  If=20 a person to whom a subpoena is directed refuses to
  appear, refuses to = answer inquiries,=20 or fails or refuses to produce
  books, records, or other = documents=20 that were under the person's
  control when the demand = was made,=20 the commission shall report that
  fact to a district court = in the=20 county. The district court shall
  enforce the subpoena by = attachment=20 proceedings for contempt in the
  same manner as the court = enforces a=20 subpoena issued by the court.
         (g) =  A=20 respondent has the right to quash a subpoena as
  provided by = law.
         (h) =  A=20 subpoenaed witness who attends a commission hearing is =
  entitled to the same = mileage and per=20 diem payments as a witness who
  appears before a grand = jury. A=20 person who provides subpoenaed
  documents to the = commission is=20 entitled to reimbursement from the
  commission for the = person's=20 reasonable cost of producing the
  documents.
         Sec. = ;161.171.  STATUS=20 OF COMPLAINANT.  The complainant is =
  not a party to a = preliminary review,=20 preliminary review hearing, or
  formal hearing under = this=20 subchapter.
         Sec. = ;161.172.  APPLICABILITY=20 OF OTHER ACTS.  (a)  Except = as=20
  provided by Section = 161.173(b),=20 Chapter 552, Government Code, does
  not apply to documents = or any=20 additional evidence relating to the
  processing, preliminary = review,=20 preliminary review hearing, or
  resolution of a sworn = complaint or=20 motion.
         (b) =  Chapter=20 551, Government Code, does not apply to the
  processing, preliminary = review,=20 preliminary review hearing, or
  resolution of a sworn = complaint or=20 motion, but does apply to a
  formal hearing held = under Sections=20 161.164 through 161.167.
         (c) =  Subchapters=20 C through H, Chapter 2001, Government Code,
  apply only to a formal = hearing under=20 this subchapter, the
  resolution of a formal = hearing, and=20 the appeal of a final order of
  the commission, and only = to the=20 extent consistent with this
  chapter.
         Sec. = ;161.173.  CONFIDENTIALITY;=20 OFFENSE.  (a)  Except as =
  provided by Subsection = (b) or (c) or=20 by Section 161.201,
  proceedings at a = preliminary review=20 hearing performed by the
  commission, a sworn = complaint, and=20 documents and any additional
  evidence relating to the = processing,=20 preliminary review,
  preliminary review = hearing, or=20 resolution of a sworn complaint or
  motion are confidential = and may not=20 be disclosed unless entered
  into the record of a = formal hearing=20 or a judicial proceeding, except
  that a document or = statement that=20 was previously public information
  remains public=20 information.
         (b) =  An=20 order issued by the commission after the completion
  of a preliminary review = or hearing=20 determining that a violation
  other than a technical = or de minimis=20 violation has occurred is not
  confidential.
         (c) =  Commission=20 staff may, for the purpose of investigating a
  sworn complaint or = motion, disclose=20 to the complainant, the
  respondent, or a witness = information=20 that is otherwise confidential
  and relates to the sworn = complaint=20 if:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 employee makes a good faith determination that
  the disclosure is = necessary to=20 conduct the investigation;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 employee's determination under Subdivision (1)
  is objectively = reasonable;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  the=20 commission specifically authorizes the
  disclosure; = and
            &= nbsp;  (4)  the=20 employee discloses only the information
  necessary to conduct the = investigation.
         (d)  A= =20 person commits an offense if the person = intentionally:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  destroys,=20 mutilates, or alters information
  obtained under this = chapter;=20 or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  removes=20 information obtained under this chapter
  without permission as = provided by=20 this chapter.
         (e) =  An=20 offense under Subsection (d) is a misdemeanor
  punishable = by:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 fine of not less than $25 or more than $4,000;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  confinement=20 in the county jail for not less than
  three days or more than = three=20 months; or
            &= nbsp;  (3)  both=20 the fine and confinement.
         (f) =  A=20 person commits an offense if the person distributes
  information considered = confidential=20 under the terms of this
  chapter.
         (g) =  A=20 person who obtains access to confidential information =
  under this chapter = commits an=20 offense if that person knowingly:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  uses=20 the confidential information for a purpose
  other than the purpose = for which the=20 information was received or for
  a purpose unrelated to = this chapter,=20 including solicitation of
  political contributions = or=20 solicitation of clients;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  permits=20 inspection of the confidential
  information by a person = who is not=20 authorized to inspect the
  information; = or
            &= nbsp;  (3)  discloses=20 the confidential information to a person
  who is not authorized to = receive the=20 information.
         (h) =  An=20 offense under Subsection (f) or (g) is a misdemeanor =
  punishable = by:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 fine of not more than $1,000;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  confinement=20 in the county jail for not more than
  six months; = or
            &= nbsp;  (3)  both=20 the fine and confinement.
         (i) =  A=20 violation under this section constitutes official
  misconduct.
         (j) =  In=20 addition to other penalties, the respondent may
  commence a civil action = for damages=20 on the respondent's own behalf
  against any person who = is alleged to=20 have disclosed information
  made confidential by = this=20 subchapter. Any action under this chapter
  must be brought in a = district court=20 in the county. The court may
  award costs and = attorney's=20 fees.
         (k) =  A=20 county employee is subject to discipline, including
  termination of = employment, for=20 disclosing confidential information
  under this = chapter.
         (l) =  A=20 county employee who discloses confidential
  information in = compliance with=20 Subsection (c) is not subject to
  Subsections = (d)-(k).
         Sec. = ;161.174.  AVAILABILITY=20 OF COMMISSION ORDERS ON
  INTERNET. =  (a)=20  As soon as practicable following a preliminary =
  review, preliminary = review hearing,=20 or formal hearing at which the
  commission determines = that a person=20 has committed a violation
  within the commission's=20 jurisdiction, the commission shall make
  available on the = Internet:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  a=20 copy of the commission's order stating the
  determination; = or
            &= nbsp;  (2)  a=20 summary of the commission's order.
         (b) =  This=20 section does not apply to a determination of a
  violation that is = technical or de=20 minimis.
  [Sections = 161.175-161.200 reserved for expansion]
  SUBCHAPTER E.=20 ENFORCEMENT
         Sec. = ;161.201.  INITIATION=20 AND REFERRAL.  (a)  On a = motion=20
  adopted by an = affirmative vote of at=20 least six commission members,
  the commission may = initiate civil=20 enforcement actions and refer
  matters to the = appropriate=20 prosecuting attorney for criminal
  prosecution.
         (b) =  On=20 receipt of a sworn complaint, if the commission
  reasonably believes that = the person=20 who is the subject of the
  complaint has violated = Chapter 36,=20 37, or 39, Penal Code, the
  commission may refer the = matter to=20 the appropriate prosecuting
  attorney for criminal=20 prosecution.
         (c) =  In=20 making a referral to a prosecuting attorney under
  this section, the = commission may=20 disclose confidential
  information.
         Sec. 161.20= 2.  ORDER.=20  The commission may:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  issue=20 and enforce a cease and desist order to stop
  a = violation;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  issue=20 an affirmative order to require compliance
  with the laws = administered and=20 enforced by the commission; and
            &= nbsp;  (3)=20 issue an order of public censure with or without
  penalty as provided = pursuant to=20 Section 161.203.
         Sec. = ;161.203.  CIVIL=20 PENALTY FOR DELAY OR VIOLATION. (a) The
  commission may impose a = civil=20 penalty of not more than $500 for each
  delay in complying with = a commission=20 order.
         (b) =  The=20 commission may impose a civil penalty of not more
  than $4,000 for a = violation of the=20 ethics code adopted by the
  commission.
         (c) =  A=20 penalty paid under this section shall be deposited to =
  the credit of the = general fund of=20 the county.
         (d) =  This=20 section is cumulative of any other available
  sanctions under this=20 chapter.
         Sec. = ;161.204.  WAIVER=20 OR REDUCTION OF PENALTY.  (a) =  A=20 person
  may request the waiver = or reduction=20 of a civil penalty by submitting
  an affidavit to the = commission that=20 states the filer's reasons for
  requesting a waiver or=20 reduction.
         (b) =  The=20 commission may waive or reduce a civil penalty if
  the commission finds = that a waiver=20 or reduction is in the public
  interest and in the = interest of=20 justice. The commission shall
  consider the following = before acting=20 to waive or reduce a civil
  penalty:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 facts and circumstances supporting the
  person's request for a = waiver or=20 reduction;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 seriousness of the violation, including the
  nature, circumstances, = consequences,=20 extent, and gravity of the
  violation, and the = amount of the=20 penalty;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  any=20 history of previous violations by the person;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  the=20 demonstrated good faith of the person,
  including actions taken = to rectify=20 the consequences of the
  violation;
            &= nbsp;  (5)  the=20 penalty necessary to deter future violations;
  and
            &= nbsp;  (6)  any=20 other matter that justice may require.
         (c) =  After=20 hearing the waiver request, the commission may
  affirm, reduce, or waive = the civil=20 penalty.
         Sec. = ;161.205.  NOTIFICATION=20 OF REGULATORY OR SUPERVISORY
  ENTITY. =  The=20 commission may notify the appropriate regulatory or
  supervisory entity, = including any=20 agency, the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct, or the = State Bar=20 of Texas, of a violation of the
  ethics code adopted by the commission.
         Sec. = ;161.206.  CIVIL=20 PENALTY FOR FRIVOLOUS OR BAD-FAITH
  COMPLAINT. =  (a)=20  The commission may impose a civil penalty of = not=20
  more than $4,000 for the = filing of a=20 frivolous or bad-faith
  complaint. In this = subsection,=20 "frivolous complaint" means a
  complaint that is = groundless and=20 brought in bad faith or is
  groundless and brought = for the=20 purpose of harassment.
         (b) =  In=20 addition to other penalties, the respondent may
  commence a civil action = on the=20 respondent's own behalf against any
  person who filed a = frivolous=20 complaint against the respondent. Any
  action under this = chapter shall be=20 brought in a district court in
  the county. =  The=20 court may award costs and attorney's fees.
         (c) =  A=20 person may file a sworn complaint with the commission, =
  in accordance with = Section 161.155,=20 alleging that a complaint
  relating to that person = filed with=20 the commission is frivolous or
  brought in bad faith.=20  A complaint may be filed under this =
  subsection without = regard to whether=20 the complaint alleged to be
  frivolous or brought in = bad faith is=20 pending before the commission
  or has been resolved. = The commission=20 shall act on a complaint made
  under this subsection as = provided by=20 Subchapter D.
         Sec. = ;161.207.  FACTORS=20 CONSIDERED FOR ASSESSMENT OF
  SANCTION. =  The=20 commission shall consider the following factors in
  assessing a = sanction:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 seriousness of the violation, including the
  nature, circumstances, = consequences,=20 extent, and gravity of the
  violation;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  the=20 history and extent of previous violations;
            &= nbsp;  (3)  the=20 demonstrated good faith of the violator,
  including actions taken = to rectify=20 the consequences of the
  violation;
            &= nbsp;  (4)  the=20 penalty necessary to deter future violations;
  and
            &= nbsp;  (5)  any=20 other matters that justice may require.
         Sec. = ;161.208.  APPEALS.=20  (a)  A respondent may = appeal the=20
  decision by filing a = petition in a=20 district court in the county
  within 30 days after the = date of the=20 decision.
         (b) =  An=20 appeal under this section is under the substantial
  evidence rule, and the = judgment of=20 the district court is appealable
  as in other civil = cases.
         (c) =  If=20 the district court renders judgment for the
  petitioner, and the = petitioner is a=20 county employee, the court may
  order reinstatement of = the county=20 employee, payment of back pay, or
  other appropriate = relief.
         (d) If = the district=20 court renders judgment for the
  petitioner, the court = may order=20 appropriate relief, including costs
  and attorney's = fees.
         Sec. = ;161.209.  REVIEW=20 UNDER SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE RULE.  In =
  an appeal under Section = 161.208, the=20 district court may not
  substitute its judgment = for the=20 judgment of the commission on the
  weight of the evidence = on questions=20 committed to the commission's
  discretion = but:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  may=20 affirm the commission's decision in whole or in
  part; and
            &= nbsp;  (2)  shall=20 reverse or remand the case for further
  proceedings if = substantial rights of=20 the petitioner have been
  prejudiced because the = commission's=20 findings, inferences,
  conclusions, or = decisions=20 are:
            &= nbsp;        (A) <= /U> in=20 violation of a constitutional or statutory
  provision;
            &= nbsp;        (B)  in= =20 excess of the commission's authority;
            &= nbsp;        (C)  ma= de=20 through unlawful procedure;
            &= nbsp;        (D)  af= fected=20 by other error of law;
            &= nbsp;        (E) <= /U> not=20 reasonably supported by substantial
  evidence considering the = reliable=20 and probative evidence in the
  record as a whole; = or
            &= nbsp;        (F) <= /U> arbitrary=20 or capricious, characterized by
  abuse of discretion, or = clearly an=20 unwarranted exercise of
  discretion.
         Sec. = ;161.210.  PROCEDURES=20 FOR REVIEW UNDER SUBSTANTIAL
  EVIDENCE = RULE. =20 (a)  After service of the petition = on the=20
  commission and within = the time=20 permitted for filing an answer or
  within additional time = allowed by=20 the court, the commission shall
  send to the reviewing = court the=20 original or a certified copy of the
  entire record of the = proceeding=20 under review. The record shall be
  filed with the clerk of = the court.=20 The record may be shortened by
  stipulation of all = parties to the=20 review proceedings. The court may
  assess additional costs = against a=20 party who unreasonably refuses to
  stipulate to limit the = record,=20 unless the party pays all costs of
  record preparation. The = court may=20 require or permit later
  corrections or additions = to the=20 record.
         (b) =  A=20 party may apply to the court to present additional
  evidence. If the court = is satisfied=20 that the additional evidence is
  material and that there = were good=20 reasons for the failure to present
  it in the proceeding = before the=20 commission, the court may order that
  the additional evidence = be taken=20 before the commission on
  conditions determined by = the court.=20 The commission may change its
  findings and decisions = by reason of=20 the additional evidence and
  shall file the = additional evidence=20 and any changes, new findings,
  or decisions with the = reviewing=20 court.
         (c) =  The=20 party seeking judicial review shall offer, and the
  reviewing court shall = admit, the=20 commission record into evidence as
  an = exhibit.
         (d) =  The=20 court shall conduct the review sitting without a
  jury and is confined to = the=20 commission record, except that the court
  may receive evidence of = procedural=20 irregularities alleged to have
  occurred before the = commission that=20 are not reflected in the
  record.
         Sec. = ;161.211.  COST=20 OF PREPARING COMMISSION RECORD.  (a)=20  The
  commission may require a = party who=20 appeals a final decision under
  Section 161.208 to pay = one-half of=20 the cost of preparation of the
  original or a certified = copy of the=20 record of the commission
  proceeding that is = required to be=20 sent to the reviewing court.
         (b) =  A=20 charge imposed under this section is a court cost and =
  may be assessed by the = court in=20 accordance with the Texas Rules of
  Civil = Procedure.
         Sec. = ;161.212.  CRIMINAL=20 PENALTY.  (a)  A county = public=20
  servant or county = affiliate commits=20 an offense under this chapter
  if the person knowingly = violates a=20 provision of the ethics code
  adopted by the = commission.
         (b) =  An=20 offense under this chapter is a misdemeanor
  punishable by a fine of = not less=20 than $25 and not more than $4,000.
         (c) =  This=20 section is cumulative of any other available
  sanctions under this=20 chapter.
         Sec. = ;161.213.  VENUE.=20  An offense under this subchapter, =
  including perjury, may = be prosecuted=20 in any county in which it may
  be prosecuted under the = Code of=20 Criminal Procedure.
  [Sections = 161.214-161.300 reserved for expansion]
  SUBCHAPTER F.=20 DISSOLUTION OF COMMISSION
         Sec. = ;161.301.  PETITION=20 FOR DISSOLUTION OF COMMISSION. If,
  after an ethics commission created pursuant to Section 161.052 = has=20
  been in effect for at = least one=20 year, 10 percent of the qualified
  voters of the county = petition the=20 commissioners court to dissolve
  the commission, the = commissioners=20 court shall call an election to
  determine whether the = commission=20 will be dissolved.
         Sec. = ;161.302.  DISSOLUTION=20 ELECTION. (a)  An election under =
  this subchapter must be = held in the=20 manner provided for an election
  to create a county ethics commission.
         (b) =  The=20 ballot for the election shall be printed to provide
  for voting for or = against the=20 proposition: "Dissolution of the
  county ethics commission."
         Sec. = ;161.303.  DISSOLUTION=20 OF COMMISSION. If the proposition
  is approved by a = majority of the=20 qualified voters voting at the
  election, the = commissioners court=20 shall declare the result and by
  order dissolve the ethics commission. A copy of the order
  dissolving the = commission shall be=20 placed in the minutes of the
  court's = proceedings.
         Sec. = ;161.304.  SAVING=20 PROVISIONS.  The dissolution of a =
  county ethics commission under this subchapter does not=20 affect:
            &= nbsp;  (1)  the=20 prior operation of the ethics code adopted by
  the commission or any = prior action=20 taken under it;
            &= nbsp;  (2)  any=20 violation of the ethics code or any penalty,
  forfeiture, or = punishment incurred=20 for a violation of the ethics
  code before the = effective date of=20 the dissolution; or
            &= nbsp;  (3)  any=20 investigation, proceeding, or remedy
  concerning any penalty, = forfeiture,=20 or punishment, and the
  investigation, = proceeding, or remedy=20 may be instituted, continued,
  or enforced, and the = penalty,=20 forfeiture, or punishment imposed, as
  if the commission had = not been=20 dissolved.
         SECTION 2.&nbs= p; This=20 Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
=20
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Version 3.03 // (C) Netscape Communications 1999. Permission granted to reuse and = distribute. // Revised 17 May 99 to add is.nav5up and is.ie5up (see below). // Revised 21 Nov 00 to add is.gecko and is.ie5_5 Also Changed is.nav5 = and is.nav5up to is.nav6 and is.nav6up // Revised 22 Feb 01 to correct Javascript Detection for IE 5.x, Opera = 4,=20 // correct Opera 5 detection // add support for winME and win2k // synch with browser-type-oo.js // Revised 26 Mar 01 to correct Opera detection // Revised 02 Oct 01 to add IE6 detection // VERITY: // Revised 19 Jan 03 to add Netscape 7+ & Mozilla detection. // Everything you always wanted to know about your JavaScript client // but were afraid to ask ... "Is" is the constructor function for "is" = object, // which has properties indicating: // (1) browser vendor: // is.nav, is.ie, is.opera, is.hotjava, is.webtv, is.TVNavigator, = is.AOLTV // (2) browser version number: // is.major (integer indicating major version number: 2, 3, 4 ...) // is.minor (float indicating full version number: 2.02, 3.01, = 4.04 ...) // (3) browser vendor AND major version number // is.nav2, is.nav3, is.nav4, is.nav4up, is.nav6, is.nav6up, = is.gecko, is.ie3,=20 // is.ie4, is.ie4up, is.ie5, is.ie5up, is.ie5_5, is.ie5_5up, is.ie6, = is.ie6up, is.hotjava3, is.hotjava3up // (4) JavaScript version number: // is.js (float indicating full JavaScript version number: 1, 1.1, = 1.2 ...) // (5) OS platform and version: // is.win, is.win16, is.win32, is.win31, is.win95, is.winnt, = is.win98, is.winme, is.win2k // is.os2 // is.mac, is.mac68k, is.macppc // is.unix // is.sun, is.sun4, is.sun5, is.suni86 // is.irix, is.irix5, is.irix6 // is.hpux, is.hpux9, is.hpux10 // is.aix, is.aix1, is.aix2, is.aix3, is.aix4 // is.linux, is.sco, is.unixware, is.mpras, is.reliant // is.dec, is.sinix, is.freebsd, is.bsd // is.vms // // See http://www.it97.de/JavaScript/JS_tutorial/bstat/navobj.html and // http://www.it97.de/JavaScript/JS_tutorial/bstat/Browseraol.html // for detailed lists of userAgent strings. // // Note: you don't want your Nav4 or IE4 code to "turn off" or // stop working when Nav5 and IE5 (or later) are released, so // in conditional code forks, use is.nav4up ("Nav4 or greater") // and is.ie4up ("IE4 or greater") instead of is.nav4 or is.ie4 // to check version in code which you want to work on future // versions. function Is () { // convert all characters to lowercase to simplify testing var agt=3Dnavigator.userAgent.toLowerCase(); // *** BROWSER VERSION *** // Note: On IE5, these return 4, so use is.ie5up to detect IE5. this.major =3D parseInt(navigator.appVersion); this.minor =3D parseFloat(navigator.appVersion); // Note: Opera and WebTV spoof Navigator. We do strict client = detection. // If you want to allow spoofing, take out the tests for opera and = webtv. this.nav =3D ((agt.indexOf('mozilla')!=3D-1) && = (agt.indexOf('spoofer')=3D=3D-1) && (agt.indexOf('compatible') =3D=3D -1) && = (agt.indexOf('opera')=3D=3D-1) && (agt.indexOf('webtv')=3D=3D-1) && = (agt.indexOf('hotjava')=3D=3D-1) && (agt.indexOf('netscape')!=3D-1)); this.nav2 =3D (this.nav && (this.major =3D=3D 2)); this.nav3 =3D (this.nav && (this.major =3D=3D 3)); this.nav4 =3D (this.nav && (this.major =3D=3D 4)); this.nav4up =3D (this.nav && (this.major >=3D 4)); this.navonly =3D (this.nav && ((agt.indexOf(";nav") !=3D -1) || (agt.indexOf("; nav") !=3D -1)) ); this.nav6 =3D (this.nav && (this.major =3D=3D 5)); this.nav6up =3D (this.nav && (this.major >=3D 5)); this.nav7 =3D (this.nav && agt.indexOf('netscape/7')!=3D-1); this.gecko =3D (agt.indexOf('gecko') !=3D -1); this.safari =3D (agt.indexOf('safari') !=3D -1); this.firefox =3D (agt.indexOf('firefox') !=3D -1); this.ie =3D ((agt.indexOf("msie") !=3D -1) && = (agt.indexOf("opera") =3D=3D -1)); this.ie3 =3D (this.ie && (this.major < 4)); this.ie4 =3D (this.ie && (this.major =3D=3D 4) && = (agt.indexOf("msie 4")!=3D-1) ); this.ie4up =3D (this.ie && (this.major >=3D 4)); this.ie5 =3D (this.ie && (this.major =3D=3D 4) && = (agt.indexOf("msie 5.0")!=3D-1) ); this.ie5_5 =3D (this.ie && (this.major =3D=3D 4) && = (agt.indexOf("msie 5.5") !=3D-1)); this.ie5up =3D (this.ie && !this.ie3 && !this.ie4); this.ie5_5up =3D(this.ie && !this.ie3 && !this.ie4 && !this.ie5); this.ie6 =3D (this.ie && (this.major =3D=3D 4) && = (agt.indexOf("msie 6.")!=3D-1) ); this.ie6up =3D (this.ie && !this.ie3 && !this.ie4 && !this.ie5 && = !this.ie5_5); // KNOWN BUG: On AOL4, returns false if IE3 is embedded browser // or if this is the first browser window opened. Thus the // variables is.aol, is.aol3, and is.aol4 aren't 100% reliable. this.aol =3D (agt.indexOf("aol") !=3D -1); this.aol3 =3D (this.aol && this.ie3); this.aol4 =3D (this.aol && this.ie4); this.aol5 =3D (agt.indexOf("aol 5") !=3D -1); this.aol6 =3D (agt.indexOf("aol 6") !=3D -1); this.opera =3D (agt.indexOf("opera") !=3D -1); this.opera2 =3D (agt.indexOf("opera 2") !=3D -1 || = agt.indexOf("opera/2") !=3D -1); this.opera3 =3D (agt.indexOf("opera 3") !=3D -1 || = agt.indexOf("opera/3") !=3D -1); this.opera4 =3D (agt.indexOf("opera 4") !=3D -1 || = agt.indexOf("opera/4") !=3D -1); this.opera5 =3D (agt.indexOf("opera 5") !=3D -1 || = agt.indexOf("opera/5") !=3D -1); this.opera5up =3D (this.opera && !this.opera2 && !this.opera3 && = !this.opera4); this.webtv =3D (agt.indexOf("webtv") !=3D -1);=20 this.TVNavigator =3D ((agt.indexOf("navio") !=3D -1) || = (agt.indexOf("navio_aoltv") !=3D -1));=20 this.AOLTV =3D this.TVNavigator; this.hotjava =3D (agt.indexOf("hotjava") !=3D -1); this.hotjava3 =3D (this.hotjava && (this.major =3D=3D 3)); this.hotjava3up =3D (this.hotjava && (this.major >=3D 3)); // *** JAVASCRIPT VERSION CHECK *** if (this.nav2 || this.ie3) this.js =3D 1.0; else if (this.nav3) this.js =3D 1.1; else if (this.opera5up) this.js =3D 1.3; else if (this.opera) this.js =3D 1.1; else if ((this.nav4 && (this.minor <=3D 4.05)) || this.ie4) this.js = =3D 1.2; else if ((this.nav4 && (this.minor > 4.05)) || this.ie5) this.js =3D = 1.3; else if (this.hotjava3up) this.js =3D 1.4; else if (this.nav6 || this.gecko) this.js =3D 1.5; // NOTE: In the future, update this code when newer versions of JS // are released. For now, we try to provide some upward = compatibility // so that future versions of Nav and IE will show they are at // *least* JS 1.x capable. Always check for JS version compatibility // with > or >=3D. else if (this.nav6up) this.js =3D 1.5; // note ie5up on mac is 1.4 else if (this.ie5up) this.js =3D 1.3 // HACK: no idea for other browsers; always check for JS version = with > or >=3D else this.js =3D 0.0; // *** PLATFORM *** this.win =3D ( (agt.indexOf("win")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("16bit")!=3D-1) ); // NOTE: On Opera 3.0, the userAgent string includes "Windows = 95/NT4" on all // Win32, so you can't distinguish between Win95 and WinNT. this.win95 =3D ((agt.indexOf("win95")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("windows 95")!=3D-1)); // is this a 16 bit compiled version? this.win16 =3D ((agt.indexOf("win16")!=3D-1) ||=20 (agt.indexOf("16bit")!=3D-1) || (agt.indexOf("windows = 3.1")!=3D-1) ||=20 (agt.indexOf("windows 16-bit")!=3D-1) ); =20 this.win31 =3D ((agt.indexOf("windows 3.1")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("win16")!=3D-1) || (agt.indexOf("windows 16-bit")!=3D-1)); // NOTE: Reliable detection of Win98 may not be possible. It appears = that: // - On Nav 4.x and before you'll get plain "Windows" in = userAgent. // - On Mercury client, the 32-bit version will return = "Win98", but // the 16-bit version running on Win98 will still return = "Win95". this.win98 =3D ((agt.indexOf("win98")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("windows 98")!=3D-1)); this.winnt =3D ((agt.indexOf("winnt")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("windows nt")!=3D-1)); this.win32 =3D (this.win95 || this.winnt || this.win98 ||=20 ((this.major >=3D 4) && (navigator.platform =3D=3D = "Win32")) || (agt.indexOf("win32")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("32bit")!=3D-1)); this.winme =3D ((agt.indexOf("win 9x 4.90")!=3D-1)); this.win2k =3D ((agt.indexOf("windows nt 5.0")!=3D-1)); this.os2 =3D ((agt.indexOf("os/2")!=3D-1) ||=20 (navigator.appVersion.indexOf("OS/2")!=3D-1) || =20 (agt.indexOf("ibm-webexplorer")!=3D-1)); this.mac =3D (agt.indexOf("mac")!=3D-1); // hack ie5 js version for mac if (this.mac && this.ie5up) this.js =3D 1.4; this.mac68k =3D (this.mac && ((agt.indexOf("68k")!=3D-1) ||=20 (agt.indexOf("68000")!=3D-1))); this.macppc =3D (this.mac && ((agt.indexOf("ppc")!=3D-1) ||=20 (agt.indexOf("powerpc")!=3D-1))); this.sun =3D (agt.indexOf("sunos")!=3D-1); this.sun4 =3D (agt.indexOf("sunos 4")!=3D-1); this.sun5 =3D (agt.indexOf("sunos 5")!=3D-1); this.suni86=3D (this.sun && (agt.indexOf("i86")!=3D-1)); this.irix =3D (agt.indexOf("irix") !=3D-1); // SGI this.irix5 =3D (agt.indexOf("irix 5") !=3D-1); this.irix6 =3D ((agt.indexOf("irix 6") !=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("irix6") !=3D-1)); this.hpux =3D (agt.indexOf("hp-ux")!=3D-1); this.hpux9 =3D (this.hpux && (agt.indexOf("09.")!=3D-1)); this.hpux10=3D (this.hpux && (agt.indexOf("10.")!=3D-1)); this.aix =3D (agt.indexOf("aix") !=3D-1); // IBM this.aix1 =3D (agt.indexOf("aix 1") !=3D-1); =20 this.aix2 =3D (agt.indexOf("aix 2") !=3D-1); =20 this.aix3 =3D (agt.indexOf("aix 3") !=3D-1); =20 this.aix4 =3D (agt.indexOf("aix 4") !=3D-1); =20 this.linux =3D (agt.indexOf("inux")!=3D-1); this.sco =3D (agt.indexOf("sco")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("unix_sv")!=3D-1); this.unixware =3D (agt.indexOf("unix_system_v")!=3D-1);=20 this.mpras =3D (agt.indexOf("ncr")!=3D-1);=20 this.reliant =3D (agt.indexOf("reliantunix")!=3D-1); this.dec =3D ((agt.indexOf("dec")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("osf1")!=3D-1) ||=20 (agt.indexOf("dec_alpha")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("alphaserver")!=3D-1) ||=20 (agt.indexOf("ultrix")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("alphastation")!=3D-1));=20 this.sinix =3D (agt.indexOf("sinix")!=3D-1); this.freebsd =3D (agt.indexOf("freebsd")!=3D-1); this.bsd =3D (agt.indexOf("bsd")!=3D-1); this.unix =3D ((agt.indexOf("x11")!=3D-1) || this.sun || this.irix = || this.hpux ||=20 this.sco ||this.unixware || this.mpras || this.reliant = ||=20 this.dec || this.sinix || this.aix || this.linux || = this.bsd || this.freebsd); this.vms =3D ((agt.indexOf("vax")!=3D-1) || = (agt.indexOf("openvms")!=3D-1)); // this section is designed specifically for IE3 for the Mac if ( (navigator.appVersion.indexOf("Mac")!=3D-1) && = (navigator.userAgent.indexOf("MSIE")!=3D-1) && = (parseInt(navigator.appVersion)=3D=3D3) ) { // not included with original version this.mac =3D true; this.ie =3D true; this.ie3 =3D true; } } //--> ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C9BE8B.50E97AE0--