SRC-TNM S.B. 457 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 457 By: Duncan State Affairs 3-5-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, members of the legislature are allowed to represent clients in contested cases before state agencies, as well as perform administrative duties such as the filing of documents on behalf of a client. In 1991, the legislature required those members who represent clients before state agencies to disclose the fees received for this practice. There continue to be concerns, however, over the influence those legislators have over a state agency. The goal of S.B. 457 is to prohibit a state legislator from representing an individual before an executive state agency for any compensation. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 457 outlines provisions regarding representation of a person before an executive state agency by a member of the legislature. 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 delete an exception from which a member of the legislature is prohibited, for compensation, from representing another person before a state agency in the executive branch of state government. Prohibits a member of the legislature from representing another person before a state agency in the executive branch of state government unless the representation involves the filing of contacts with the agency for informational purposes 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 make a conforming change. 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.