DEFINITIONS

In this subchapter: (1) "Consulting service" means the service of studying or advising a state agency under a contract that does not involve the traditional relationship of employer and employee. (2) "Major consulting services contract" means a consulting services contract for which it is reasonably foreseeable that the value of the contract will exceed $15,000, or $25,000 for an institution of higher education other than a public junior college. (3) "Consultant" means a person that provides or proposes to provide a consulting service. The term includes a political subdivision but does not include the federal government, a state agency, or a state governmental entity. (4) "Political subdivision" means: (A) a county; (B) an incorporated or unincorporated municipality; (C) a public junior college; (D) a public school district or other educational or rehabilitative district; (E) a metropolitan or regional transit authority; (F) an airport authority; (G) a river authority or compact; (H) a regional planning commission, a council of governments, or a similar regional planning agency created under Chapter 391, Local Government Code; (I) the Edwards Aquifer Authority or a district governed by Title 4, Water Code; (J) a soil and water conservation district; (K) a county or municipal improvement district; (L) a county road or road utility district; (M) a county housing authority; (N) an emergency services or communications district; (O) a fire prevention district; (P) a public health or hospital authority or district; (Q) a mosquito control district; (R) a special waste district; (S) a rural rail transportation district; or (T) any other local government or special district of this state. (5) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 2151.002. (6) "State governmental entity" means a state department, commission, board, office, institution, facility, or other agency the jurisdiction of which is not limited to a geographical portion of the state. The term includes a university system and an institution of higher education, other than a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. The term does not include a political subdivision.