BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1011
By: Harris
6/2/2005
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
There is currently no reporting category for lobby expenditures made for persons who are the invited guests of a member of the legislative or executive branch of state government. Recent discussions with the Texas Ethics Commission have raised a concern that, because the expenditure for these invited guests may be considered an expenditure benefiting the inviter/public official, the amount of these expenditures may be required to be reported under and attributed to the inviting member of the legislative or executive branch.
S.B. 1011 adds an additional reporting category with corresponding expenditure limits and clarifies the circumstances under which expenditures for the exceptions to the ban on travel and lodging are permissible.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 305.0062(a), Government Code, to set forth certain expenditure categories [for expenditures directly attributable to members of the legislative or executive branch], including a category that encompasses guests, when invited by certain individuals. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 305.024(a), Government Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 305.025, Government Code, to provide that Section 305.024 (Restrictions on Expenditures) does not prohibit certain expenditures, including those related to attendance at informational conferences and food, beverages, and incidental entertainment provided in connection with a conference, seminar, educational program, or similar event.
SECTION 4. Makes application of Sections 305.0062(a), 305.024(a), and 305.025, Government Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.
SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2005.