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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to restrictions on certain lobbyist expenditures for meals |
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provided to legislators; providing a criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 305, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 305.0242 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 305.0242. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTION ON EXPENDITURES FOR |
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LEGISLATORS. A person registered under Section 305.005 or a person |
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on the registrant's behalf and with the registrant's consent or |
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ratification may not make an expenditure for food or beverages |
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provided as a meal to a member of the legislature or an expenditure |
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for an alcoholic beverage provided to a member of the legislature |
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unless: |
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(1) the expenditure may otherwise be made under this |
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chapter; and |
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(2) the food or beverage is provided at a reception or |
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similar event at which 30 or more persons are present. |
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SECTION 2. Section 305.031, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally |
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or knowingly violates a provision of this chapter other than |
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Section 305.022, 305.0242, or 305.028. An offense under this |
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subsection is a Class A misdemeanor. |
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(c) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally |
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or knowingly violates Section 305.0242. An offense under this |
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subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. If conduct constituting an |
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offense under this subsection also constitutes an offense under |
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another law, the actor may be prosecuted under this subsection or |
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the other law. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |