(a) State agencies in the executive branch of state government shall participate under comptroller rules in the comptroller’s contracts for travel services, provided that all travel agents approved by the comptroller are permitted to contract with the state and provide travel services to all state agencies.
(b) An institution of higher education as defined by § 61.003, Education Code, is not required to participate in the comptroller’s contracts for travel agency services or other travel services purchased from funds other than general revenue funds or educational and general funds as defined by § 51.009, Education Code. The Employees Retirement System of Texas is not required to participate in the comptroller’s contracts for travel agency services or other travel services purchased from funds other than general revenue funds.

(c) The comptroller may provide by rule for exemptions from required participation.
(d) Agencies of the state that are not required to participate in comptroller contracts for travel services may participate as provided by § 2171.051.
(e) A county officer or employee who is engaged in official county business may participate in the comptroller’s contract for travel services for the purpose of obtaining reduced airline fares and reduced travel agent fees. A county sheriff or deputy sheriff or juvenile probation officer who is transporting a state prisoner under a felony warrant may participate in the comptroller’s contract for travel services for purposes of obtaining reduced airline fares and reduced travel agent fees for the law enforcement or probation officer and the prisoner. The comptroller shall adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection.
(f) An officer or employee of a public junior college, as defined by § 61.003, Education Code, of an open-enrollment charter school established under Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Education Code, or of a school district who is engaged in official business may participate in the comptroller’s contract for travel services. The comptroller shall adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection.
(g) A municipal officer or employee who is engaged in official municipal business may participate in the comptroller’s contract for travel services for the purpose of obtaining reduced airline fares and reduced travel agent fees. The comptroller shall adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection.
(h) A board member or employee of a communication district or an emergency communication district established under Chapter 772, Health and Safety Code, who is engaged in official district business may participate in the comptroller’s contract for travel services for the purpose of obtaining reduced airline fares and reduced travel agent fees. The comptroller shall adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection.
(i) An officer or employee of a transportation or transit authority, department, district, or system established under Subtitle K, Title 6, Transportation Code, who is engaged in official business of the authority, department, district, or system may participate in the comptroller’s contracts for travel services.
(j) An officer or employee of a hospital district created under general or special law who is engaged in official hospital district business may participate in the comptroller’s contract for travel services for the purpose of obtaining reduced airline fares and reduced travel agent fees. The comptroller shall adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection.
(k) An officer or employee of a qualified cooperative entity who is engaged in official business of the qualified cooperative entity may participate in the comptroller’s contracts for travel services. The comptroller shall adopt rules and make or amend contracts as necessary to administer this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, a “qualified cooperative entity” includes:
(1) a local government, as defined by § 271.081, Local Government Code;
(2) a community center for mental health services or intellectual disability services described by § 2155.202(1);
(3) an assistance organization, as defined by § 2175.001, that receives any state funds; and
(4) a political subdivision, as defined by § 791.003.