SRC-SLL S.B. 122 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 122
By: Bivins
State Affairs
1-24-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law authorizes a member of the legislature to represent
clients in contested cases before state agencies, as well as perform
administrative duties, such as filing documents on behalf of a client.
Some concerns have been raised over a legislator's influence with a state
agency.  This bill would prohibit a member of the legislature from
representing another person, for compensation, before an executive state
agency. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 122 will prohibit a member of the legislature from
representing a person, for compensation, before an executive state agency. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 572.052(a), Government Code, to prohibit a
member of the legislature from representing another person, for
compensation, before a state agency in the executive branch of state
government.  Deletes the exceptions that authorized a member of the
legislature to represent another person, for compensation, before an
executive state agency in an adversary proceeding or a public hearing that
is a matter of record, or if the representation involves the filing of
documents, contacts with the agency, or other relations, that involve only
ministerial acts on the part of the commission, agency, board, department,
or officer. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 572.021, Government Code, to require a state
officer, a partisan or independent candidate for an office as an elected
officer, and a party chairman to file with the Texas Ethics Commission a
verified financial statement complying with Sections 572.022 through
572.024, rather than through 572.025. 

SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 572.025, Government Code (Information About
Legislators' Representation Before Executive State Agencies). 

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.