SRC-SEW S.B. 345 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 345 77R1504 ESH-FBy: Bivins State Affairs 2/26/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, members of the legislature may represent clients in cases before state executive agencies for compensation if the case is adversarial in nature or if it involves ministerial acts on the part of the Texas Ethics Commission, as long as the member discloses to the agency the compensation. This poses a potential conflict of interest, confusing a legislator's role of public servant with that of an advocate for a paying client. As proposed, S.B. 345 prohibits members of the legislature from representing anyone before a state agency for compensation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly 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 language regarding any exceptions under which a member of the legislature is authorized to represent another person for compensation before a state agency in the executive branch of state government. SECTION 2. Amends Section 572.021, Government Code, to require a state officer, a partisan or independent candidate for 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 (Information About Legislators' Representation Before Executive State Agencies), Government Code. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective.