1. (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards of conduct to govern the relationships between officers and employees of TDCA and private donors.

2. (b) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

   1. (1) Employee--A regular, acting, or exempt, full or part-time employee of TDCA.
   2. (2) Officer--An officer of TDCA.
   3. (3) Private donor--One or more individuals or organizations that offer to give or give nonpublic financial assistance to TDCA.
   4. (4) TDCA--The Texas Department of Community Affairs.

3. (c) Standards of conduct.

   1. (1) An officer or employee shall not accept or solicit any gift, favor, or service from a private donor that might reasonably tend to influence his official conduct.
   2. (2) An officer or employee shall not accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity with a private donor which the officer or employee might reasonably expect would require or induce him to disclose confidential information acquired by reason of his official position.
   3. (3) An officer or employee shall not accept other employment or compensation from a private donor which could reasonably be expected to impair the officer or employee's independence of judgment in the performance of his official position.
   4. (4) An officer or employee shall not make personal investments in association with a private donor which could reasonably be expected to create a substantial conflict between the officer or employee's private interest and the interest of TDCA.
   5. (5) An officer or employee shall not intentionally or knowingly solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit for having exercised his official powers on behalf of a private donor or performed his official duties in favor of a private donor.
   6. (6) An officer or employee who has policy direction over TDCA and who serves as an officer or director of a private donor shall not vote on or otherwise participate in any measure, proposal, or decision pending before the private donor if TDCA might reasonably be expected to have an interest in such measure, proposal, or decision.
   7. (7) An officer or employee shall not authorize a private donor to use property of TDCA, unless the property is used in accordance with a contract between TDCA and the private donor, or TDCA is otherwise compensated for the use of the property.
   8. (8) In all matters relating to a private donor, an officer or employee shall avoid not only impropriety but also the appearance of impropriety.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.1 adopted to be effective January 24, 1984, 9 TexReg 278.