SRC-VRA S.B. 1449 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1449
By: Harris
Government Organization
4/8/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the statute dealing with conflicts of interest for registrants
under the Lobby Act is ambiguous and vague.  As proposed, S.B. 1449
clarifies the current statute to address inconsistencies in the Act. 

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 305.028, Government Code, as follows:

 (a)  Defines "client," "matter," and "person associated with the
registrant." 

(b)  Redesignated from existing Subsection (a) and a portion of existing
Subsection (b). Prohibits a registrant from representing a client, rather
than opposing parties, in communicating directly with a member of the
legislative or executive branch to influence legislative subject matter.
Makes conforming changes. 

(c)  Adds a new condition to existing text relating to the name and
address of each affected client.  Makes conforming changes. 

(f)  Requires a registrant, in each report filed with the Texas Ethics
Commission, under oath, to affirm that the registrant has complied with
this section to the best of the registrant's knowledge. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 305.031, Government Code, as follows:

 (a)  Makes a conforming change.

 (c)  Deletes existing Subsection (c) and redesignates existing Subsection
(d) as (c). 

 (d)  Redesignated from existing Subsection (c).

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

SECTION 4.  Makes application of this Act prospective.