TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

ETHICS ADVISORY OPINION NO. 267

June 16, 1995

Whether an officeholder may use political contributions to pay expenses in connection with the officeholder's attendance at a legal seminar. (AOR-297)

The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked whether an officeholder may use political contributions remaining from his previous re-election campaign for expenses incurred in attending a legal seminar.

The Texas Election Code forbids the conversion of political funds to the personal use of a candidate or officeholder. Elec. Code § 253.035. A "personal use" is a use that "primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder of a public office." Id. § 253.035(d). The officeholder in question is a judge. If the legal seminar is connected to the judge's performance of his duties, political funds may be used to cover expenditures for attending the seminar. See Ethics Advisory Opinions Nos. 247 (judge may use political contributions to pay expenses incurred in connection with a course of study related to the judge's duties or activities of office), 245 (1995) (judges may use political contributions to pay state bar dues if their judicial office requires them to be licensed to practice law in Texas).

SUMMARY

A judge may use political contributions to pay expenses incurred in connection with a course of study related to the judge's duties or activities of office.