81R2798 ESH-D
 
  By: Gonzales H.B. No. 485
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to ethics training for legislators and certain other state
  officers and employees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 571, Government Code, is
  amended by amending Section 571.071 and adding Sections 571.0711
  through 571.0714 to read as follows:
         Sec. 571.071.  REQUIRED ETHICS TRAINING[; GUIDELINES]. (a)
  The following persons must complete the ethics training required by
  this section:
               (1)  a member or member-elect of the legislature;
               (2)  the director, executive director, commissioner,
  administrator, or other individual appointed to act as the chief
  executive or administrative officer of a board, commission, or
  other agency in the legislative or executive branch of state
  government; and
               (3)  a full-time, paid employee of the house of
  representatives, the senate, a member of the legislature, a
  legislative committee, the governor, or the lieutenant governor.
         (b)  The commission shall[:
               [(1)]  provide training [by January of each
  odd-numbered year] for persons required to complete ethics training
  under this section [members and members-elect of the legislature]
  concerning compliance with the laws administered and enforced by
  the commission.
         (c)  A person required to complete ethics training under this
  section must complete three hours of training every two years. A
  person must complete the initial training not later than the 90th
  day after the date the person is first elected or appointed to or
  employed in a position for which ethics training is required. A
  person must complete subsequent training not later than the second
  anniversary of the date the person completed the most recent ethics
  training under this section.
         (d)  Each board, commission, or other agency described by
  Subsection (a) shall report to the commission, in accordance with
  rules adopted by the commission, the appointment or employment of a
  person required to complete ethics training under Subsection (a)(2)
  or (3).
         Sec. 571.0711.  FAILURE TO COMPLETE REQUIRED ETHICS
  TRAINING. (a) A person who does not complete the ethics training
  required by Section 571.071 is not eligible to receive a salary or
  wage payment until the person completes the required training.
         (b)  Not later than the 30th day after the date a person is
  required to complete the ethics training under Section 571.071, the
  commission shall certify the person's name to the comptroller if
  the person did not complete the ethics training. Following receipt
  of certification under this subsection, the comptroller may not
  issue a warrant or make an electronic transfer representing a
  salary or wage payment to the person until the commission certifies
  that the person has completed the training.
         (c)  Not later than the 60th day before the date by which a
  person is required to complete the ethics training under Section
  571.071, the commission shall send a written notice to the person
  that states:
               (1)  that the person is required by law to complete the
  required amount of ethics training;
               (2)  the date of upcoming ethics training seminars;
               (3)  that the person will not be eligible to receive a
  salary or wage payment if the person does not complete the required
  training; and
               (4)  the date by which the person must complete the
  ethics training.
         Sec. 571.0712.  ETHICS TRAINING FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. The
  commission shall[; and
               [(2)] provide, in cooperation with state agencies, a
  program of ethics training for state employees other than those
  required to complete the ethics training under Section 571.071.
         Sec. 571.0713.  COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES. [(b)] The commission
  may disseminate, through pamphlets and seminars, explanations and
  compliance guidelines concerning any law administered and enforced
  by the commission.
         Sec. 571.0714.  SEMINARS FOR LOBBYISTS. (a) [(c)] The
  commission may provide a seminar for persons required to register
  under Chapter 305 that addresses issues involving lobbying,
  political contributions and expenditures, and other issues as
  determined by the commission.
         (b)  The commission may charge a fee for attending the
  seminar in an amount necessary to cover the costs associated with
  the seminar.
         SECTION 2.  A person who on January 1, 2010, holds an office
  or employment for which the person is required to complete ethics
  training under Section 571.071, Government Code, as amended by this
  Act, must complete the ethics training required by that section not
  later than April 1, 2010. A person who after January 1, 2010, is
  elected or appointed to an office or employed in a position for
  which the person is required to complete ethics training under
  Section 571.071, Government Code, as amended by this Act, must
  complete the ethics training required by that section in compliance
  with that section.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2010.