Gifts.
El Paso City Code § 2.92.040
in effect2.92.040 - Gifts.
A. An officer or employee shall not solicit, accept, or agree to accept for themselves or a relative, the following:
1. Any gift, of which the known or readily apparent value for each separate gift, exceeds seventy-five dollars in value;
2. Any gift that might reasonably tend to influence them to act improperly in the discharge of official duties, or reasonably tend to improperly reward official conduct; or
3. Any gift from any lobbyist registered under Chapter 2.94 of this Code, of which the known or readily apparent value for each separate gift exceeds ten dollars in value.
B. Special applications. Subsection A above does not include:
1. Political contributions made or received and reported in accordance with the Texas Election Code;
2. Awards, such as plaques, certificates, trophies or personalized mementos, which are reasonable in light of the occasion and publicly presented in recognition of public service;
3. A gift from a relative or a personal, professional, or business relationship independent of the official status of the recipient;
4. Gifts or other tokens of recognition presented by representatives of governmental bodies or political subdivisions who are acting in their official capacities which are accepted for the city or in conjunction with the officeholder duties of an elected official;
5. Commercially reasonable loans made to an officer or employee in the ordinary course of the lender's business;
6. Reasonable hosting, including travel and expenses, entertainment, meals or refreshments furnished in connection with public events, appearances or ceremonies related to official city business, if furnished by the sponsor of such public event; or in connection with attending seminars or workshops, speaking engagements, teaching, or rendering other public assistance to an organization or another governmental entity;
7. An honorarium, transportation or lodging, the acceptance of which is not prohibited under Sections 36.07 and 36.08, Texas Penal Code;
8. A ticket or admission pass, regardless of the actual or face value of the ticket or admission pass, to an event that is sponsored or conducted by the city;
9. A ticket or admission pass, regardless of the actual or face value of the ticket or admission pass, to an event in which the officer or employee is participating in connection with official duties or in which the officer or employee is participating in connection with his spouse's or child's position or duties, provided that the receipt of such ticket is reported as a reportable gift if such reporting is required under Section 2.92.070 B.2. of this Code; and
10. Any solicitation for civil or charitable causes, or admission to a charity event provided by the sponsor of the event, where the offer is unsolicited by the officer or employee.
11. Items received that are of nominal value (less than ten dollars).
(Ord. No. 19139, § 1, 2-16-2021)
Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.92ET_ARTIISTCO_2.92.040GIFetched: 10/28/2026