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.