Contacts with Federal Officials
Introduction/Background
Texas State law prohibits an employee of an institution of higher education from using state appropriated money to attempt to influence the passage or defeat of a legislative measure. This statute does, however, permit the use of state resources to provide information responsive to a request from state and federal appointed and elected officials and their staff. Any interaction with federal officials should be reported in accordance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 ("HLOGA"). The interaction to be reported includes invitations to campus, requests for appointments with legislative or senior executive branch officials regarding information provided for legislation, rules or policies made on behalf of the University.
HLOGA has changed how university personnel must report interaction with "covered" officials. All interactions with Congressional, Executive Branch and agency officials, including meetings held in Washington, D.C., on campus, or at any other location will need to be tracked and duly reported on a quarterly basis.
Under HLOGA, failure to fully disclose - and failure to correct a defective filing – can result in individual civil fines up to $200,000 and possible criminal penalties up to five years imprisonment.
If you or any of your staff takes part in interactions with Federal officials, you must fill out the UTEP Reporting Form and submit to the Office of Institutional Compliance. If you are uncertain whether a particular interaction with a Federal official should be reported, you are encouraged to submit the form for review
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Reminder: Please contact the Office of Institutional Compliance in advance of all invitations to elected officials or their staff members to visit the University in their official capacity.
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