(a) Section 2155.003 of the Government Code applies to:
  (1) the chief clerk; and
  (2) an employee who exercises discretion in connection with a contract, payment, claim, or other pecuniary transaction under the comptroller's purchasing authority.
(b) Under §2155.003 of the Government Code the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
  (1) "Chief clerk" and "employee" includes the spouse or dependent child of the chief clerk or employee.
  (2) "Have an interest in" or "in any manner be connected with," is limited to the purchasing authority that was transferred to the comptroller by §2151.004 of the Government Code, and means a right, share, equitable or legal claim to, or pecuniary interest in, a contract or bid.
  (3) "Value," "reward," and "compensation" includes anything with a monetary value of $5 or more.
(c) Section 2155.003 of the Government Code does not apply to the ownership of stock the value of which does not exceed the lesser of $25,000 or 5% in any one company, or ownership of shares in a publicly traded mutual fund or similar investment vehicle in which the person does not exercise any discretion regarding the investment of the assets of the fund or other investment vehicle.

Source Note: The provisions of this §45.3 adopted to be effective April 30, 2008, 33 TexReg 3387