In this subchapter:

1. (1) "Consulting service" means the service of studying or advising a state agency under a contract that does not involve the traditional relationship of employer and employee.
2. (2) "Major consulting services contract" means a consulting services contract for which it is reasonably foreseeable that the value of the contract will exceed $15,000, or $25,000 for an institution of higher education other than a public junior college.
3. (3) "Consultant" means a person that provides or proposes to provide a consulting service. The term includes a political subdivision but does not include the federal government, a state agency, or a state governmental entity.

4. (4) "Political subdivision" means:

   1. (A) a county;
   2. (B) an incorporated or unincorporated municipality;
   3. (C) a public junior college;
   4. (D) a public school district or other educational or rehabilitative district;
   5. (E) a metropolitan or regional transit authority;
   6. (F) an airport authority;
   7. (G) a river authority or compact;
   8. (H) a regional planning commission, a council of governments, or a similar regional planning agency created under Chapter 391, Local Government Code;
   9. (I) the Edwards Aquifer Authority or a district governed by Title 4, Water Code;
   10. (J) a soil and water conservation district;
   11. (K) a county or municipal improvement district;
   12. (L) a county road or road utility district;
   13. (M) a county housing authority;
   14. (N) an emergency services or communications district;
   15. (O) a fire prevention district;
   16. (P) a public health or hospital authority or district;
   17. (Q) a mosquito control district;
   18. (R) a special waste district;
   19. (S) a rural rail transportation district; or
   20. (T) any other local government or special district of this state.
5. (5) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 2151.002.
6. (6) "State governmental entity" means a state department, commission, board, office, institution, facility, or other agency the jurisdiction of which is not limited to a geographical portion of the state. The term includes a university system and an institution of higher education, other than a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. The term does not include a political subdivision.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.44(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995;

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 17.19(11), eff. Sept. 1, 1997;

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1997;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1266, Sec. 1.02, eff. June 20, 2003.