Texas Local Government Code 176.013 – Enforcement
(a) A local government officer commits an offense under this chapter if the officer:
(1) is required to file a conflicts disclosure statement under § 176.003; and
(2) knowingly fails to file the required conflicts disclosure statement with the appropriate records administrator not later than 5 p.m. on the seventh business day after the date on which the officer becomes aware of the facts that require the filing of the statement.
(b) A vendor commits an offense under this chapter if the vendor:
(1) is required to file a conflict of interest questionnaire under § 176.006; and
(2) either:
(A) knowingly fails to file the required questionnaire with the appropriate records administrator not later than 5 p.m. on the seventh business day after the date on which the vendor becomes aware of the facts that require the filing of the questionnaire; or
(B) knowingly fails to file an updated questionnaire with the appropriate records administrator not later than 5 p.m. on the seventh business day after the date on which the vendor becomes aware of an event that would make a statement in a questionnaire previously filed by the vendor incomplete or inaccurate.
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $4,000 |
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 180 days | up to $2,000 |
| Class C misdemeanor | up to $500 |
Terms Used In Texas Local Government Code 176.013
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
(c) An offense under this chapter is:
(1) a Class C misdemeanor if the contract amount is less than $1 million or if there is no contract amount for the contract;
(2) a Class B misdemeanor if the contract amount is at least $1 million but less than $5 million; or
(3) a Class A misdemeanor if the contract amount is at least $5 million.
(d) A local governmental entity may reprimand, suspend, or terminate the employment of an employee who knowingly fails to comply with a requirement adopted under this chapter.
(e) The governing body of a local governmental entity may, at its discretion, declare a contract void if the governing body determines that a vendor failed to file a conflict of interest questionnaire required by § 176.006.
(f) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a) that the local government officer filed the required conflicts disclosure statement not later than the seventh business day after the date the officer received notice from the local governmental entity of the alleged violation.
(g) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (b) that the vendor filed the required questionnaire not later than the seventh business day after the date the vendor received notice from the local governmental entity of the alleged violation.