SECTION 34.14. Expenditures for Fact-Finding Trips

(a) For purposes of §305.025(3), Government Code, an expenditure for transportation or lodging provided to a member of the legislative or executive branch is for a fact-finding trip only if:

(1) the expenditure is necessary for the member to obtain information that directly relates to the member's official duties;

(2) the member cannot reasonably obtain the information without the expenditure; and

(3) the expenditure is not for the member's attendance at a merely ceremonial event or pleasure trip.

(b) If an expenditure made for transportation or lodging for a fact-finding trip is required to be disclosed on a lobby activities report by §305.0061(a), Government Code, the purpose of the transportation or lodging must include a description of the information that the expenditure was necessary to obtain under subsection (a) of this section.

Source Note: The provisions of this §34.14 adopted to be effective June 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 4430