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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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GOVERNMENT CODE |
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Title 5. OPEN GOVERNMENT; ETHICS |
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Subtitle B. ETHICS |
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Chapter 571. TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION |
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Subchapter E. COMPLAINT PROCEDURES AND HEARINGS |
Sec. 571.123. PROCESSING OF COMPLAINT
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(a) The commission shall determine whether a sworn complaint filed with the commission complies with the form requirements of Section 571.122.
(b) After a complaint is filed, the commission shall immediately attempt to contact and notify the respondent of the complaint by telephone or electronic mail. Not later than the fifth business day after the date a complaint is filed, the commission shall send written notice to the complainant and the respondent. The written notice to the complainant and the respondent must:
(1) state whether the complaint complies with the form requirements of Section 571.122;
(2) if the respondent is a candidate or officeholder, state the procedure by which the respondent may designate an agent with whom commission staff may discuss the complaint; and
(3) if applicable, include the information required by Section 571.124(e).
(c) If the commission determines that the complaint does not comply with the form requirements, the commission shall send the complaint to the complainant with the written notice, a statement explaining how the complaint fails to comply, and a copy of the rules for filing sworn complaints. The commission shall send a copy of the rejected complaint to the respondent with the written notice and the statement explaining how the complaint fails to comply. The complainant may resubmit the complaint not later than the 21st day after the date the notice under Subsection (b) is mailed. If the commission determines that the complaint is not resubmitted within the 21-day period, the commission shall:
(1) dismiss the complaint; and
(2) not later than the fifth business day after the date of the dismissal, send written notice to the complainant and the respondent of the dismissal and the grounds for dismissal.
(d) If the commission determines that a complaint is resubmitted under Subsection (c) within the 21-day period but is not in proper form, the commission shall send the notice required under Subsection (c), and the complainant may resubmit the complaint under that subsection.
(e) If the commission determines that a complaint returned to the complainant under Subsection (c) or (d) is resubmitted within the 21-day period and that the complaint complies with the form requirements, the commission shall send the written notice under Subsection (b).