Overview

Several regulations, laws, and policies are designed to help prevent employees from entering into conflicts of interest that may arise from their participation in outside activities. Lone Star College is committed to complying with conflict of interest laws by developing and implementing processes and procedures to assist employees in identifying potential conflicts and guiding them in addressing such matters. In accordance with the Local Government Code, Chapter 176, local government officers are required to disclose certain relationships with vendors who conduct business with a local government entity.

What are Lone Star College’s Conflict of Interest Policies?

• I.G.1.03. Ethical Standards
• III.C.2.10. Ethics and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
• III.D.1.8. Conflict of Interest Prohibited for Purchasing
• IV.F.6. Ethical Standards.

Conflicts Disclosure Statement for Local Government Officers

A local government officer is defined as a member of a governing body of the local government entity or any employee of the local government entity who exercises discretion in the planning, recommending, selecting, or contracting of a vendor.

Under Texas Government Code, a local government officer is required to disclose a conflict of interest by completing a conflicts disclosure statement with respect to a vendor if:

• A vendor enters into a contract with the College, or the College is considering entering into a contract with the vendor, and the vendor:
  
  (A) has an employment or other business relationship with the local government officer or a family member of the officer that results in the officer or family member receiving taxable income at exceeds $2,500 during a 12-month period; or
  
  (B) has given to the local government officer or a family member of the officer one or more gifts that have an aggregate value of more than $100 in the 12-month period; or
  
  (C) has a family relationship with the local government officer.

Who at Lone Star College Must Complete a Conflict of Interest Form?

The following categories of positions must complete the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form if a conflict exists:

• The Board of Trustees
• The Chancellor
• The Chancellor’s Cabinet and their Direct Reports
• The Executive Director of Purchasing and their Direct Reports
• Members of a Submission and Interview Review Committee
• Individuals with delegated authority to sign vendor contracts

In accordance with Local Government Code, Section 176.009, Lone Star College has provided access to the following statements and questionnaires required to be filed under Local Government Code, Chapter 176: