EAO 580

No. Section 253.094 of the Texas Election Code prohibits corporations from making political contributions to candidates and political committees. Legal services provided without charge to candidates or political committees are in-kind contributions. When those services are given with the intent that they be used in connection with a campaign, they are in-kind campaign contributions. The described legal services would be used in connection with a campaign because the requestor’s standing to pursue such a challenge would depend on its client’s status as a candidate or political committee subject to the laws administered and enforced by the Commission.