In this chapter:
(1) “Commission” means a county ethics commission created under this chapter.
(2) “Commission staff” means county employees assigned to provide administrative support to the commission.
(3) “Communicates directly with” has the meaning assigned by § 305.002, Government Code.
(4) “County affiliate” means a person described and determined by order of the commissioners court on recommendation of the commission. As determined by the commissioners court, the term includes:
(A) any person whose goods and services are purchased under the terms of a purchase order or contractual agreement with the county; and
(B) as determined by the county, any other persons doing business with the county.
(5) “County employee” means a person employed by the county or a county officer and includes a person employed in the judicial branch of the county government who is not subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. The term does not include a county officer.
(6) “County office” means a position held by a county officer.
(7) “County officer” means a county judge, county commissioner, county attorney, sheriff, county tax assessor-collector, county clerk, district clerk, county treasurer, county auditor, county purchasing agent, and constable.
(8) “County public servant” means a person elected, selected, appointed, employed, or otherwise designated as one of the following, even if the person has not yet qualified for or assumed the duties of office:
(A) a county officer or county employee;
(B) a person appointed by the commissioners court or a county officer to a position on one of the following, whether the position is compensated or not:
(i) an authority, board, bureau, commission, committee, council, department, district, division, or office of the county; or
(ii) a multi-jurisdictional board;
(C) an attorney at law or notary public when participating in the performance of a governmental function;
(D) a candidate for nomination or election to an elected county office; or
(E) a person who is performing a governmental function under a claim of right although the person is not legally qualified or authorized to do so.
(9) “Lobbyist” means a person who, for compensation in excess of an amount established by the commission, communicates directly with a county officer or county employee to influence official action. The term does not include an attorney who communicates directly with a county officer or county employee to the extent that such communication relates to the attorney’s representation of a party in a civil or criminal proceeding.