This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.
Amend CSHB 2694 (house committee printing) in Article 1 of the bill by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS accordingly:
SECTION 1.____. Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 572.062 to read as follows:
Sec. 572.062. FORMER COMMISSIONER OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: LOBBYING RESTRICTED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "administrative action," "communicates directly with," "legislation," "member of the executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch" have the meanings assigned by Section 305.002.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a former member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may not, and a former executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may not, before the second anniversary of the date the person ceases to be a commissioner or executive director, represent a client before a governmental entity with regard to a matter that is related to the powers, duties, and functions of the position the person held.
(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a person who:
(1) communicates directly with a member of the legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or administrative action on behalf of:
(A) a nonprofit organization;
(B) an individual;
(C) a group of low-income individuals; or
(D) a group of individuals with disabilities; and
(2) does not receive compensation other than reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication described by Subdivision (1).
(d) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.