Last week, Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-0157 (2017) was released on “Whether relatives of a public official may perform uncompensated work for the official’s office without violating nepotism laws if the relatives receive reimbursement of actual expenses or a per diem expense payment.”
The summary stated:
“Section 573.041 of the Government Code prohibits a public official from appointing certain relatives to positions compensated with public funds. The reimbursement of expenses, however, is not compensation. Thus, a public official may appoint a close relative to a volunteer position that provides reimbursement for incurred expenses but no compensation.”
To access the Opinion, click on the link below.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/opinions/51paxton/op/2017/kp0157.pdf