RESTRICTIONS ON EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONERS, FORMER MEMBERS OF A BOARD, COMMISSIONERS, AND THEIR BUSINESS PARTNERS

(a) After service in the commission or a health and human services agency, including an agency that formerly operated part of the medical assistance program but that has been abolished, ends, a former executive commissioner, member of the board, or commissioner of the applicable agency may not knowingly represent a person before an agency or court:

(1) in a matter related to the medical assistance program in which the agency the person served or the federal government has a direct interest and in which the executive commissioner, board member, or commissioner participated personally while employed with the agency; or

(2) for two years after the date on which service ends in a matter related to the medical assistance program if the commission, the health and human services agency, or the federal government has a direct interest in the matter, the matter was pending during the executive commissioner's or commissioner's last year of service to the applicable agency, and the matter was one for which the executive commissioner or commissioner had responsibility.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a former executive commissioner, board member, or commissioner who holds one of the following positions and is acting in the scope of that position:

(1) employee or officer of federal, state, or local government;

(2) employee of a nonprofit hospital or medical research organization; or

(3) employee of an accredited degree-granting college or university.

(c) The current executive commissioner or a current commissioner of a health and human services agency may not knowingly participate in the course of the executive commissioner's or commissioner's service in a matter related to the medical assistance program in which the agency the person serves or the federal government has a direct interest and in which the executive commissioner or commissioner, or the executive commissioner's or commissioner's spouse, minor child, or business partner, has a substantial financial interest.

(e) A past or present executive commissioner, a past board member of a health and human services agency, including an abolished agency, or a past or present commissioner of a health and human services agency is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation of this section. A partner of a current executive commissioner or commissioner is subject to a civil penalty of $2,500 for each violation of this section. Each appearance before an agency or court constitutes a separate offense.

(f) If it appears that this section has been violated, the commission may request the attorney general to conduct a suit in the name of the State of Texas to enjoin the prohibited activity and to recover the penalty provided for in this section. Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 755, ch. 287, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1981. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219 ), Sec. 4.075, eff. April 2, 2015.