1. (a) ANOs may solicit and accept sponsorships for commission programs, so long as the ANO complies with the provisions of this subsection and other written guidance that may be provided by the department.

   1. (1) All sponsorships of commission programs and the level of sponsorship recognition provided by the commission must have prior written approval of the commission.

   2. (2) ANOs shall not solicit or accept a sponsorship in support of a commission program from:

      1. (A) a person or entity that has been determined by the commission to conflict with either the commission's mission or legislative mandates; or
      2. (B) a person or entity that is in litigation with the commission at the time of consideration.

   3. (3) Sponsor recognition shall be limited as prescribed in this paragraph.

      1. (A) Sponsor recognition shall be solely in the context of the commission program that the sponsor has supported with a financial or in-kind contribution.
      2. (B) Sponsor recognition shall be permitted only when the financial or in-kind contribution is greater than the costs associated with providing sponsor recognition.
      3. (C) Sponsor recognition shall not include signage of any kind on state-owned motor vehicles or trailers that were purchased or are maintained with department funds.
      4. (D) Sponsor recognition shall not overshadow the project, the purposes of the project, or the mission of the commission or result in the role of the commission being less prominent than that of the sponsor.

   4. (4) In determining the level of sponsorship recognition to provide, the commission will consider:

      1. (A) the level of contribution as a percentage of the total funding required to execute or produce the program, event, or material;
      2. (B) the level of contribution as a percentage of total sponsorship dollars received;
      3. (C) the scope of exposure (e.g. statewide, regional, local, or a single location); and
      4. (D) the duration of exposure (e.g. one day, one month, or one year).
   5. (5) Sponsorship recognition may not promote the sponsor's products, services, or facilities. This subsection does not prohibit the broadcast or display of the sponsor's logo or name and a reference to the sponsor's location.
   6. (6) No officer or employee of the department shall act as the agent for any ANO or donor in negotiating the terms or conditions of any agreement relating to the provision of funds, services, or property to the commission by the ANO or donor.
2. (b) Nothing in this subchapter shall limit the ability of an ANO to make an unrestricted cash donation to the commission when no sponsorship recognition is provided. Such a donation may also be made for a specific purpose or program in furtherance of the commission's mission.

Source Note:The provisions of this §11.66 adopted to be effective December 4, 2025, 50 TexReg 7697.