By Howard                                             H.B. No. 2539
         77R108 ESH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to lobbyist registration.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 305, Government Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 305.0052 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 305.0052.  SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.
 1-7     (a)  The commission shall suspend a registrant's registration if
 1-8     the commission determines that:
 1-9                 (1)  the registrant has not filed one or more reports
1-10     required under Section 305.006 or 305.0063; or
1-11                 (2)  the registrant has not paid:
1-12                       (A)  a civil or criminal penalty imposed under
1-13     Subchapter C; or
1-14                       (B)  a civil penalty imposed under Section
1-15     571.173 for a violation of this chapter.
1-16           (b)  If the executive director determines that the commission
1-17     is required to suspend a registrant's registration under Subsection
1-18     (a), the executive director shall notify the registrant in writing
1-19     of the executive director's determination.
1-20           (c)  A registrant may appeal the executive director's
1-21     determination to the commission by filing a written notice of
1-22     appeal with the commission not later than the 30th day after the
1-23     date the registrant receives the executive director's determination
1-24     under Subsection (b).  The commission shall resolve an appeal under
 2-1     the procedures prescribed by Subchapter E, Chapter 571, for a sworn
 2-2     complaint.
 2-3           (d)  If a registrant does not file a written notice of appeal
 2-4     within the time prescribed by Subsection (c), the commission shall
 2-5     promptly enter an order suspending the registrant's registration.
 2-6           (e)  The commission may not renew the registration of a
 2-7     registrant whose registration is suspended under this section until
 2-8     the grounds for suspension no longer exist.
 2-9           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
2-10           SECTION 3.  Section 305.0052, Government Code, as added by
2-11     this Act, applies only to the registration under Chapter 305,
2-12     Government Code, of a person who files a registration form under
2-13     Section 305.005, Government Code, on or after September 1, 2001.