Tex. Gov't Code Section 571.123
Processing of Complaint


(a)

The commission shall determine whether a sworn complaint filed with the commission complies with the form requirements of Section 571.122 (Filing of Complaint; Contents).

(b)

After a complaint is filed, the commission shall immediately attempt to contact and notify the respondent of the complaint by telephone or electronic mail. Not later than the fifth business day after the date a complaint is filed, the commission shall send written notice to the complainant and the respondent. The written notice to the complainant and the respondent must:

(1)

state whether the complaint complies with the form requirements of Section 571.122 (Filing of Complaint; Contents);

(2)

if the respondent is a candidate or officeholder, state the procedure by which the respondent may designate an agent with whom commission staff may discuss the complaint; and

(3)

if applicable, include the information required by Section 571.124 (Preliminary Review: Initiation)(e).

(c)

If the commission determines that the complaint does not comply with the form requirements, the commission shall send the complaint to the complainant with the written notice, a statement explaining how the complaint fails to comply, and a copy of the rules for filing sworn complaints. The commission shall send a copy of the rejected complaint to the respondent with the written notice and the statement explaining how the complaint fails to comply. The complainant may resubmit the complaint not later than the 21st day after the date the notice under Subsection (b) is mailed. If the commission determines that the complaint is not resubmitted within the 21-day period, the commission shall:

(1)

dismiss the complaint; and

(2)

not later than the fifth business day after the date of the dismissal, send written notice to the complainant and the respondent of the dismissal and the grounds for dismissal.

(d)

If the commission determines that a complaint is resubmitted under Subsection (c) within the 21-day period but is not in proper form, the commission shall send the notice required under Subsection (c), and the complainant may resubmit the complaint under that subsection.

(e)

If the commission determines that a complaint returned to the complainant under Subsection (c) or (d) is resubmitted within the 21-day period and that the complaint complies with the form requirements, the commission shall send the written notice under Subsection (b).
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 249, Sec. 1.17, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1165 (H.B. 3216), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1166 (H.B. 3218), Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 4 (S.B. 1), Sec. 76.06, eff. September 28, 2011.

Source: Section 571.123 — Processing of Complaint, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­571.­htm#571.­123 (accessed Apr. 13, 2024).

571.001
Purpose
571.002
Definitions
571.021
Texas Ethics Commission
571.022
Sunset Provision
571.023
Presiding Officer
571.024
Expenses
571.025
Meetings
571.026
Quorum
571.027
Prohibited Participation
571.028
Prohibited Candidacy
571.029
Staff
571.030
Separation of Responsibilities
571.031
Records
571.032
Mailing of Notices, Decisions, and Reports
571.061
Laws Administered and Enforced by Commission
571.062
Rules
571.063
Rules Concerning Gifts to Regulatory Agency Officers and Employees
571.064
Reporting and Registration Thresholds
571.065
Forms
571.066
Electronic Data Base
571.067
Computer Software
571.068
Account Numbers
571.069
Review of Statements and Reports
571.070
Manual
571.071
Training
571.072
Public Access
571.073
Report
571.074
Gifts and Grants
571.075
Delegation of Authority
571.076
Contract for Administration
571.077
Statements, Registrations, and Reports Considered to Be Verified
571.078
Negotiated Rulemaking and Alternative Dispute Resolution
571.079
Posting Information Relating to Unpaid Penalties on Website
571.091
Opinion to Be Given on Request
571.092
Deadline for Opinion
571.093
Protection of Identity of Requestor or Affected Person
571.094
Opinion Issued on Initiative of Commission
571.095
Maintenance of Opinions
571.096
Opinion by Other Governmental Entity
571.097
Defenses: Reliance on Advisory Opinion
571.098
Conversion of Contribution to Personal Use
571.121
General Powers
571.122
Filing of Complaint
571.123
Processing of Complaint
571.124
Preliminary Review: Initiation
571.125
Preliminary Review Hearing: Procedure
571.126
Preliminary Review Hearing: Resolution
571.129
Formal Hearing: Standard of Evidence
571.130
Formal Hearing: Subpoenas and Witnesses
571.131
Formal Hearing: Procedure
571.132
Formal Hearing: Resolution
571.133
Appeal of Final Decision
571.134
Delay of Referral
571.135
Public Interest Information
571.136
Extension of Deadline
571.137
Subpoena
571.138
Status of Complainant
571.139
Applicability of Other Acts
571.140
Confidentiality
571.141
Availability of Commission Orders on Internet
571.142
Liability for Respondent’s Costs
571.171
Initiation and Referral
571.172
Order
571.173
Civil Penalty for Delay or Violation
571.174
Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Lobbyist Registration
571.175
Notification of Regulatory or Supervisory Entity
571.176
Civil Penalty for Frivolous or Bad-faith Complaint
571.177
Factors Considered for Assessment of Sanction
571.0221
Discrimination Prohibited
571.0231
Restriction on Commission Membership
571.0232
Grounds for Removal
571.0271
Commission Member Training
571.0301
Information to Members and Employees
571.0302
Equal Employment Policy
571.0631
Rules Concerning Technical and Clerical Violations
571.0645
Filing Deadline for Electronic Reports
571.0671
Requirements for Electronic Filing Software
571.0672
Proposition of Technological Solutions
571.0771
Corrected Statements, Registrations, and Reports Considered Timely Filed
571.1211
Definitions
571.1212
Categorization of Violations
571.1221
Dismissal of Complaint Filed at Direction or Urging of Nonresident
571.1222
Dismissal of Complaint Challenging Certain Information in Political Report
571.1223
Dismissal of Complaint Following Corrected or Amended Statement, Registration, or Report
571.1231
Designation of Agent by Certain Respondents
571.1241
Review of Executive Director’s Determination of Jurisdiction
571.1242
Preliminary Review
571.1244
Preliminary Review and Preliminary Review Procedures
571.1351
Status of Complaint
571.1731
Waiver or Reduction of Late Filing Penalty

Accessed:
Apr. 13, 2024

§ 571.123’s source at texas​.gov