(a) Unless otherwise prohibited by the Code of Judicial Conduct, a state officer or state employee may:
(1) solicit from any person a contribution to:
(A) an organization that:
(i) is exempt from income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed under Section 501(c)(3) of that code;
(ii) does not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of the organization’s activities; and
(iii) has not elected under Section 501(h), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to have that subsection apply to the organization; or
(B) a governmental entity; or
(2) recommend to any person that the person make a contribution to an organization or entity described by Subdivision (1).
(b) A monetary contribution solicited or recommended as provided by Subsection (a) must:
(1) be paid or made directly to the charitable organization or governmental entity by the person making the contribution;
(2) be in the form of a check, money order, or similar instrument payable to the charitable organization or governmental entity; or
(3) be in the form of a deduction from a state employee’s salary or wage payment under the state employee charitable campaign under Subchapter I, Chapter 659.

(c) A contribution solicited or recommended as provided by Subsection (a) that is not a monetary contribution must be delivered directly to the charitable organization or governmental entity by the person making the contribution.
(d) A contribution paid as provided by Subsection (b) or delivered as provided by Subsection (c) is not:
(1) a political contribution to, or political expenditure on behalf of, the state officer or state employee for purposes of Title 15, Election Code;
(2) an expenditure for purposes of Chapter 305; or
(3) a benefit to the state officer or state employee for purposes of Sections 36.08 and 36.09, Penal Code.