The functions and activities of the Texas Inaugural Committee are governed by Section 401 of the Texas Government Code. No later than the tenth day after the date of each election for governor and lieutenant governor, the secretary of state issues a proclamation stating who, in the secretary's opinion, based on the best information available, are the governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect. The secretary of state then delivers certified copies of the proclamation to the individuals named in the proclamation. The governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect then each file with the secretary of state a signed instrument. In that instrument, the governor-elect designates one individual to serve as chair of the inaugural committee and one individual to serve as a cochair of the committee; the lieutenant governor-elect designates one individual to serve as a cochair of the committee. The governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect may appoint other members to the inaugural committee as they consider necessary.

After the committee members have been appointed, they convene at a time and place designated by the chair, take the constitutional oath of office, and hold an organizational meeting to make arrangements necessary for conducting ceremonies and events to observe the inauguration of the governor and lieutenant governor. The committee may hold subsequent meetings at times it determines or on the call of the chair, who, when present, presides at the meetings. The committee may adopt rules to govern its proceedings. Committee members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of committee duties as provided by legislative appropriation. The committee may employ staff or engage the services of consultants to assist in its work, and may request the cooperation of an agency or official of state or local government.

The inaugural fund is a special fund in the state treasury to be used only for costs related to the inauguration. The comptroller credits to the inaugural fund a pro-rata share of the interest received from the deposit of state funds as if the inaugural fund were a constitutional fund. A person may contribute funds, services, or other things of value to pay the expenses of or otherwise provide for an inauguration; such contributions may be made to the inaugural committee or secretary of state. The contribution is not a political contribution for purposes of state law regulating political contributions or prohibiting a contribution by a corporation or labor organization. If the secretary of state receives a contribution while the inaugural committee exists, the secretary of state delivers it to the committee. If the secretary of state receives a contribution at any other time, then he or she transmits it to the comptroller, who deposits it in the state treasury to the credit of the inaugural fund. The secretary of state retains the receipt for the contribution in his/her office for at least four years and maintains an index of the receipts, arranged alphabetically by contributor, showing the date of the contribution, the name and mailing address of the contributor, and the amount of each contribution. The index and receipts are public information.

Money appropriated from the inaugural fund may be used for: printing; the employment of staff; the lease of office space and payment of utility expenses; professional and consultant fees; postage, telephone, and telegraph expenses; payment of expenses incurred by committee members; and any other public purpose reasonably related to conducting inaugural ceremonies and related events, including expenses of raising funds. Contributions received by the committee and not deposited in the state treasury may be expended for any purpose the committee considers appropriate. A voucher for an expenditure from the inaugural fund must be approved in writing by the chair. The committee maintains a record of each expenditure of unappropriated funds containing the following information about each expenditure: the name and address of the entity to whom the expenditure was paid, the amount, the date, and the purpose of the expenditure.

No later than June 30 of the year in which the inauguration is held, the committee files with the secretary of state a final report verified by a certified public accountant that shows: the total amount of contributions received by the committee, including contributions paid to the secretary of state during the committee's existence; the total amount of expenditures made by the committee from unappropriated funds; and the total amount of unappropriated funds remaining in the committee's possession. This report is public information. On the day the committee files the final report, the committee must deliver all unexpended unappropriated funds it possesses to the comptroller. The comptroller deposits the funds in the state treasury to the credit of the inaugural fund. When the secretary of state determines that the committee has complied with these requirements, the secretary issues a proclamation to that effect. The committee is dissolved on the day after the date the proclamation is issued.

Until September 1, 1999, all monies in the inaugural fund exceeding $100,000, plus the amount necessary to cover fund obligations, on the day the inaugural committee is dissolved, were transferred to an account in the general revenue fund known as the inaugural endowment fund. The fund was used to decorate, furnish, preserve, or improve the Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, or other state property of historical significance or for grants in support of public schools or public libraries.

The 1991 Texas Inaugural Committee was chaired by Cathy Bonner, with cochairs Katherine B. Reynolds and Will Davis. The goal of the Richards-Bullock inaugural committee was to showcase Texas talent, skills, and resources as much as possible.

(Sources include: V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 401.001-011; press releases found within these records.)