BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1422

By: Geren

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A registered lobbyist is not required to disclose on a lobbyist registration form the name of an officeholder who uses political funds to compensate or reimburse the lobbyist for activities that often include activities relating to a campaign.  Interested parties note that this lack of disclosure could create both a conflict of interest between a lawmaker and a lobbyist and distrust by the general public. H.B. 1422 seeks to address this issue by expanding lobbyist disclosure requirements.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1422 amends the Government Code to require a lobbyist registration form to include the full name and address of each person who compensates or reimburses the registrant or person acting as an agent for the registrant for services, including political consulting services, rendered by the registrant from a political contribution, from interest received from a political contribution, or from an asset purchased with a political contribution.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.