Texas Administrative Code › Title 31 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION › Part 2 - TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT › Chapter 51 - EXECUTIVE › Subchapter G - NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS › Section 51.163 - Best Practices (General)

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) NPs
				  must comply with the general best practices prescribed in this subsection.
(1) NPs shall not hold or obligate department
				  funds.
(2) NPs shall comply with
				  all applicable rules, regulations, and laws, including all applicable laws
				  regarding discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and
				  disability.
(3) NPs shall not use
				  or authorize the use of department intellectual property, including trademarks,
				  logos, name, or seal, without the express written agreement of the
				  department.
(4) NPs shall not
				  employ a department employee in a paid position or otherwise provide
				  compensation or a direct personal benefit to a department employee. Provided,
				  however, unless otherwise prohibited by law, benefits authorized by Penal Code,
				  Chapter 36, are not prohibited by this subsection.
(5) NPs may use equipment, facilities, or
				  services of employees of the department only in accordance with a written
				  agreement that provides for the payment of adequate compensation and/or
				  identifies the benefit to the department for such use. Notwithstanding this
				  subsection, a NP may use department facilities to the same extent and for the
				  same fee as members of the public.
(6) NPs shall conduct business in a way that
				  will ensure public access and transparency. As used in this subsection,
				  "transparency" shall mean that NPTs business practices and internal processes
				  are conducted in a way that is open, clear, measurable, and
				  verifiable.
(7) NPs shall file with
				  the department and make available to the public an annual report that includes
				  a list of the primary activities undertaken during the previous year, a summary
				  of significant achievements and challenges over the previous year, and other
				  information requested by the department.
(8) Regardless of whether a NP is required to
				  file an IRS 990 with the Internal Revenue Service, each NP must complete and
				  file an IRS 990 with the department each year, regardless of income.
(9) NPs shall file with the department their
				  articles of incorporation, by-laws, and most recent financial statements, and
				  any updates to these documents upon request of the department.
(10) A NP shall not engage in activities that
				  would require it or a person acting on its behalf to register as a lobbyist
				  under Texas law, Texas Government Code, Chapter 305. However, this subsection
				  is not intended to restrict a NP from providing information to the legislature
				  or to other elected or appointed officials.
(11) NPs shall not donate funds to a
				  political campaign or endorse a political candidate.
(12) NPs shall notify the department of all
				  meetings and allow a department representative to attend all meetings,
				  including, but not limited to, meetings of their general membership, managing
				  board, and committees. Meeting notices must be provided to the department
				  sufficiently in advance of the meeting so that the department representative
				  has ample opportunity to attend. Such notice may be provided by letter, email,
				  or telephone. A CRNP should also notify other CRNPs associated with the
				  property, facility, or program of all meetings and allow a representative to
				  attend.