Tex. Gov't Code Section 572.002
General Definitions


In this chapter:

(1)

“Appointed officer” means:

(A)

the secretary of state;

(B)

an individual appointed with the advice and consent of the senate to the governing board of a state-supported institution of higher education;

(C)

an officer of a state agency who is appointed for a term of office specified by the Texas Constitution or a statute of this state, excluding an appointee to a vacated elective office; or

(D)

an individual who is a member of the governing board or commission of a state agency, who is not appointed, and who is not otherwise:
(i)
an elected officer;
(ii)
an officer described by Paragraphs (A) through (C); or
(iii)
an executive head of a state agency.

(2)

“Business entity” means any entity recognized by law through which business for profit is conducted, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation, holding company, joint stock company, receivership, or trust.

(3)

“Commission” means the Texas Ethics Commission.

(4)

“Elected officer” means:

(A)

a member of the legislature;

(B)

an executive or judicial officer elected in a statewide election;

(C)

a judge of a court of appeals or of a district court;

(D)

a member of the State Board of Education;

(E)

a district attorney or criminal district attorney; or

(F)

an individual appointed to fill a vacancy in an office or appointed to a newly created office who, if elected to the office instead of appointed, would be an elected officer under this subdivision.

(5)

“Executive head of a state agency” means the director, executive director, commissioner, administrator, chief clerk, or other individual who is appointed by the governing body or highest officer of the state agency to act as the chief executive or administrative officer of the agency and who is not an appointed officer. The term includes the chancellor or highest executive officer of a university system and the president of a public senior college or university as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code.

(6)

“State party chair” means the state chair of any political party receiving more than two percent of the vote for governor in the most recent general election.

(7)

“Person” means an individual or a business entity.

(8)

“Regulatory agency” means any department, commission, board, or other agency, except the secretary of state and the comptroller, that:

(A)

is in the executive branch of state government;

(B)

has authority that is not limited to a geographical portion of the state;

(C)

was created by the Texas Constitution or a statute of this state; and

(D)

has constitutional or statutory authority to engage in regulation.

(9)

“Salaried appointed officer” means an appointed officer who receives or is authorized to receive a salary for state service but not a per diem or other form of compensation.

(10)

“State agency” means:

(A)

a department, commission, board, office, or other agency that:
(i)
is in the executive branch of state government;
(ii)
has authority that is not limited to a geographical portion of the state; and
(iii)
was created by the Texas Constitution or a statute of this state;

(B)

a university system or an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, other than a public junior college; or

(C)

a river authority created under the Texas Constitution or a statute of this state.

(11)

“State employee” means an individual, other than a state officer, who is employed by:

(A)

a state agency;

(B)

the Supreme Court of Texas, the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, a court of appeals, or the Texas Judicial Council; or

(C)

either house of the legislature or a legislative agency, council, or committee, including the Legislative Budget Board, the Texas Legislative Council, the State Auditor’s Office, and the Legislative Reference Library.

(11-a)

“State judge” means:

(A)

a judge, former judge, or retired judge of an appellate court, a district court, a constitutional county court, a county court at law, or a statutory probate court of this state;

(B)

an associate judge appointed under Chapter 201 (Associate Judge), Family Code, or a retired associate judge or former associate judge appointed under that chapter;

(C)

a magistrate or associate judge appointed under Chapter 54 (Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges) or 54A (Associate Judges);

(D)

a justice of the peace; or

(E)

a municipal court judge.

(12)

“State officer” means an elected officer, an appointed officer, a salaried appointed officer, an appointed officer of a major state agency, or the executive head of a state agency.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1134, Sec. 12, Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1253 (H.B. 1945), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 190 (S.B. 42), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2017.

Source: Section 572.002 — General Definitions, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­572.­htm#572.­002 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

572.001
Policy
572.002
General Definitions
572.003
Definition: Appointed Officer of Major State Agency
572.004
Definition: Regulation
572.005
Determination of Substantial Interest
572.006
Determination of Dependent Child
572.007
Penalties Imposed by Commission
572.008
Venue
572.021
Financial Statement Required
572.022
Reporting Categories
572.023
Contents of Financial Statement in General
572.024
Information About Services for Lobbyists or Lobbyist Employers
572.025
Information About Legislators’ Representation Before Executive State Agencies
572.026
Filing Dates for State Officers and State Party Chairs
572.027
Filing Dates for Candidates
572.028
Duplicate Statements
572.029
Timeliness of Filing
572.030
Preparation and Mailing of Forms
572.031
Determination of Compliance with Subchapter
572.032
Public Access to Statements
572.033
Civil Penalty
572.034
Criminal Penalty
572.035
Removal of Personal Information for Federal Judges, State Judges, and Family Members
572.051
Standards of Conduct
572.052
Representation by Legislators Before State Agencies
572.053
Voting by Legislators on Certain Measures or Bills
572.054
Representation by Former Officer or Employee of Regulatory Agency Restricted
572.055
Certain Solicitations of Regulated Business Entities Prohibited
572.056
Contracts by State Officers with Governmental Entities
572.057
Certain Leases Prohibited
572.058
Private Interest in Measure or Decision
572.059
Independence of State and Local Officers Acting in Legislative Capacity
572.060
Solicitation of or Recommendations Regarding Contributions to Charitable Organizations and Governmental Entities
572.061
Certain Gratuities Authorized
572.069
Certain Employment for Former State Officer or Employee Restricted
572.0211
Filing by Holdover Officer Not Required
572.0251
Information About Legislative Continuances
572.0252
Information About Referrals
572.0291
Electronic Filing Required
572.0295
Amendment of Financial Statement
572.0531
Notice Required for Introduction or Sponsorship of or Voting on Certain Measures or Bills by Legislators

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 572.002’s source at texas​.gov