Is there an exception to the nepotism rules for a tenured employee?
Under Government Code §573.062, a county employee may continue to work at the county even if a relative is appointed or elected, if he or she has been continuously employed by the county for a specific amount of time. If the employee’s relative was appointed by the commissioners court, he or she must have been continuously employed by the county for at least 30 days before the appointment. If the employee’s relative is elected at an election other than the general election for state and county officers, he or she must have been continuously employed by the county for at least six months. If the employee’s relative is elected to county office at the general election for state and county officers, he or she must have been continuously employed by the county for at least one year before the public official assumes office. For more information on nepotism, see our publication, Pitfalls and Perils of Public Office.