Negligence
Texas Government Code Ann. Sec. 403.27 (a), (b) (Vernon Supp, 1993) reads:
- If the head of an agency has
reasonable cause to believe that any state property in the agency's
possession has been lost, destroyed, or damaged through the negligence
or fault of any state official or employee, the agency head responsible
shall immediately report the loss, destruction, or damage to the state
auditor and to the Attorney General via the Comptroller's office.
- The Attorney General may investigate
a report of loss, destruction, or damage to state property, and where
appropriate, take legal action to recover the value of the state property.
The Attorney General will determine the value to be recovered based
on the value of the asset and the degree of responsibility.
- If damage was caused by willful neglect or destruction the agency should contact the employee relations department for subsequent actions.