In this chapter:
(1) “Appropriated money” means money appropriated by the legislature through the General Appropriations Act or other law.
(2) “State agency” means:
(A) a department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the executive branch of state government, created under the constitution or a statute, with statewide authority;
(B) a university system or an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or
(C) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, another entity in the judicial branch of state government with statewide authority, or a court of appeals.
(3) “State employee” means an individual who is employed by a state agency. The term does not include an elected official or an individual appointed to office by the governor or another officer.
(4) “State officer” means an individual appointed to office by the governor or another officer.