Sec. 2254.021. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Consulting service" means the service of studying or advising a state agency under a contract that does not involve the traditional relationship of employer and employee.

(2) "Major consulting services contract" means a consulting services contract for which it is reasonably foreseeable that the value of the contract will exceed $15,000, or $25,000 for an institution of higher education other than a public junior college.

(3) "Consultant" means a person that provides or proposes to provide a consulting service. The term includes a political subdivision but does not include the federal government, a state agency, or a state governmental entity.

(4) "Political subdivision" means:

(A) a county;

(B) an incorporated or unincorporated municipality;

(C) a public junior college;

(D) a public school district or other educational or rehabilitative district;

(E) a metropolitan or regional transit authority;

(F) an airport authority;

(G) a river authority or compact;

(H) a regional planning commission, a council of governments, or a similar regional planning agency created under Chapter 391, Local Government Code;

(I) the Edwards Aquifer Authority or a district governed by Title 4, Water Code;

(J) a soil and water conservation district;

(K) a county or municipal improvement district;

(L) a county road or road utility district;

(M) a county housing authority;

(N) an emergency services or communications district;

(O) a fire prevention district;

(P) a public health or hospital authority or district;

(Q) a mosquito control district;

(R) a special waste district;

(S) a rural rail transportation district; or

(T) any other local government or special district of this state.

(5) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 2151.002.

(6) "State governmental entity" means a state department, commission, board, office, institution, facility, or other agency the jurisdiction of which is not limited to a geographical portion of the state. The term includes a university system and an institution of higher education, other than a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. The term does not include a political subdivision.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.44(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 17.19(11), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 3, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1266, Sec. 1.02, eff. June 20, 2003.