Texas Local Government Code - LOC GOV'T § 161.002. Definitions

(1) “Commission” means a county ethics commission created under this chapter.

(2) “Commission staff” means county employees assigned to provide administrative support to the commission.

(3) “Communicates directly with” has the meaning assigned by Section 305.002, Government Code.

(4) “County affiliate” means a person described and determined by order of the commissioners court on recommendation of the commission. As determined by the commissioners court, the term includes:

(5) “County employee” means a person employed by the county or a county officer and includes a person employed in the judicial branch of the county government who is not subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. The term does not include a county officer.

(6) “County office” means a position held by a county officer.

(7) “County officer” means a county judge, county commissioner, county attorney, sheriff, county tax assessor-collector, county clerk, district clerk, county treasurer, county auditor, county purchasing agent, and constable.

(8) “County public servant” means a person elected, selected, appointed, employed, or otherwise designated as one of the following, even if the person has not yet qualified for or assumed the duties of office:

(9) “Lobbyist” means a person who, for compensation in excess of an amount established by the commission, communicates directly with a county officer or county employee to influence official action. The term does not include an attorney who communicates directly with a county officer or county employee to the extent that such communication relates to the attorney's representation of a party in a civil or criminal proceeding.