Texas Ethics Commission

Legal Helpline

TEC Helpline

Before contacting the TEC, please determine if your question has already been answered by resources on our website. Please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

and our filer training videos:

If you cannot find the answers to your questions on the website and need further assistance, please email helpline@ethics.texas.gov. Your email will be directed to the appropriate department and you will receive a response. Our Contact page contains additional emails for specific issues.

When contacting TEC, please provide your first and last name, telephone number, and your specific question. TEC staff will contact you within 48 business hours. Occasionally, a large volume of questions (especially during TEC meetings or around major filing deadlines) may cause a delay in responding.

Please note that if you call or email on a filing deadline, we may not be able to respond on the same day.

The TEC Helpline staff cannot and will not address questions concerning:

  • Confidential complaints or investigations.
  • Federal campaign law matters. Contact the Federal Election Commission.
  • Signs too close to polls and other electioneering violations. Contact local election officials or the Texas Secretary of State.
  • Ballot access or withdrawing from an election ballot. Contact the Texas Secretary of State.
  • Requests for formal Advisory Opinions. For Advisory Opinions, contact opinions@ethics.texas.gov. You must meet the statutory requirements for requesting an advisory opinion. That information can be found on our Advisory Opinions web page.
  • Signs that are in the right-of-way. Contact the Texas Department of Transportation or local enforcement officers.
  • Questions about the Certificate of Interested Parties (Form 1295) for businesses contracting with a governmental entity.
  • Questions about local government conflict of interest forms (Forms CIQ and CIS).
  • Enforcement or investigation of Bribery, Honoraria, Perjury, Abuse of Official Capacity, and other offenses outside the TEC’s enforcement jurisdiction. Contact the Public Integrity Section of your local district or county attorney’s office, local law enforcement, or the Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit at rangers@dps.texas.gov.
  • Attorney Misconduct. Contact the State Bar of Texas.
  • Judicial Misconduct. Contact the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
  • Nepotism laws.
  • Open meetings and open records laws. Contact the Texas Attorney General at 512-478-6736.

Disclaimer: The information provided by the TEC legal staff is for educational purposes only and is not confidential, is not binding on the TEC, and does not constitute an official legal opinion of the TEC or the TEC board or staff. Any material, conversations, or statements provided by TEC legal staff do not constitute or substitute for a personalized attorney-client relationship. The TEC employee who handles your inquiry is a representative of the TEC and is not your lawyer.