Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion ( 1957 )


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  •                            July 3, 1957
    Honorable Robert S. Calvert,        Opinion No: WW-153.
    Comptroller of Pub1ic Accounts,
    Capitol Station,                    Re:   Is the purchase of tie
    Austin, Texas. -                          chains to be used as
    awards a legal charge
    against State funds?
    Are expenses incurred
    in traveling to the
    different points in
    Texas for the purpose
    of receiving awards of
    any type a legal charge
    Dear Mr. Calvert:                         against State funds?
    You have requested an opinion on the following
    question:
    "Is the purchase of tie chains to be
    used as awards a legal charge against State
    funds? Are expenses incurred in traveling
    to the different points in Texas for the
    purpose of receiving awards of anx type a
    legal charge against State funds?
    You have enclosed with yo'urrequest an invoice of
    the purchase of thirty-nine tie chains by the Department of
    Public Safety and a memorandum to the Chief Accountant from
    the Administrative Assistant of the Department of Public Safety
    concerning the purchase and expense involved in your request.
    According to the memorandum, the tie chains are to be used as
    awards for marksmanship competition as a part of the training
    program and as an incentive for improved professional compe-
    tance in the work which is customarily performed.
    Section 51 of Article III of the Constitution of
    Texas provides:
    "The Legislature shall have no power
    to make any grant or authorize the making
    of any grant of public moneys to any
    individual, association of individuals,
    municipal or other corporations whatsoever. . .'
    Honorable Robert S. Calvert, Page 2,(WW-       1
    This constitutional provision prohibits "the gratui-
    tous disposition of the state's money, property, or contractual
    rights." Rhoads Drilling Company vs. Allred, 
    123 Tex. 229
    , 
    70 S.W.2d 57x
    ,(1934); Friedman vs. American z;ty   Company of
    New York, 
    137 Tex. 139
    151 S.W.2d 570 
    ( 9 ). Therefore,
    the question presented'concerns whether'the tie chains to be
    used as awards for marksmanship competition constitute a gratu-
    ity to the recipient. We are of the opinion that such awards
    constitute a gratuity since it is not compensation for services
    rendered by the employee nor is it a purchase of a supply neces-
    sary in the performance of the duties of the Department of
    Public Safety. If the tie chains are purchased as a part of the
    official uniform under the provisions of Article 4413 (25)
    Vernon's Civil Statutes, such purchase would constitute a
    purchase of a supply and would be a legal charge against State
    funds.
    Since such awards constitute a granting of a gratuity,
    travel for such awards constitutes travel on personal business
    rather than travel in the performance of a governmental function.
    It is therefore our opinion that expenses incurred in travel to
    different points in Texas for the purpose of receiving awards
    is not a legal charge against State funds.
    SUMMARY
    The Department of Public Safety does
    not have authority to purchase tie chains
    to be used as awards to its employees for
    marksmanship competition, or to pay expenses
    incurred in travel to different points in
    Texas for the purpose of receiving awards.
    Yours very truly,
    WILL WILSON
    Attorney General of Texas
    JOHN REEVES
    JR:pf
    APPROVED:
    OPINION COMMITTEE
    H. Grady Chandler, Chairman
    J. W. Wheeler                    REVIEWED FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
    Byron Fullerton
    Richard Wells                     By:   Geo. P. Blackburn
    

Document Info

Docket Number: WW-153

Judges: Will Wilson

Filed Date: 7/2/1957

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 2/18/2017