1. (a) Pursuant to Government Code §441.006(b)(2), Government Code Chapter 575, Government Code Chapter 2255, and the General Appropriations Act, this section establishes the criteria, procedures and standards of conduct governing the relationship between the Board and its members and employees and private donors. This section authorizes the Board to accept donations it determines are in the public interest to accept, and that further its goals and programs.
2. (b) A private donor may make monetary or non-monetary donations, including contributions and gifts, to the Board to be spent or used for public purposes. Use by the Board of the donation must be consistent with the mission and duties of the Board. If the donor specifies the purpose of the donation, the Board should use the donation for that purpose. A donation may be accepted only if it does not influence or reasonably appear to influence, the Board or staff in the performance of official duties.
3. (c) On behalf of the Board, the executive director may accept donations that do not exceed $500 in value. Donations that exceed $500 in value must be accepted by the Board in open meeting. Acceptance of the donation by the Board will be recorded in the minutes, together with the name of the donor, description of the donation and a statement of the purpose of the donation, if any.
4. (d) Monetary donations must be spent in accordance with the State Appropriations Act and deposited in the state treasury unless statutorily exempted. Reimbursements for employee travel expenses or other operating expenses are not considered to be donations.
5. (e) The Board may document terms or conditions relating to the donation through an agreement with the donor.

Source Note:The provisions of this §80.4 adopted to be effective September 13, 2015, 40 TexReg 5788.