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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the reporting of the hiring of lobbyists on behalf of a |
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governmental entity. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 305.005, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (f) and (g-1) and adding Subsection (l) to |
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read as follows: |
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(f) The registration must be written and verified and must |
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contain: |
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(1) the registrant's full name and address; |
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(2) the registrant's normal business, business phone |
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number, and business address; |
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(3) the full name and address of each person: |
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(A) who reimburses, retains, or employs the |
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registrant to communicate directly with a member of the legislative |
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or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative |
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action; and |
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(B) on whose behalf the registrant has |
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communicated directly with a member of the legislative or executive |
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branch to influence legislation or administrative action; |
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(4) if applicable: |
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(A) an indication that the person identified |
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under Subdivision (3) is a governmental entity or an entity that |
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reimburses, retains, or employs the registrant on behalf of a |
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governmental entity; and |
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(B) the name of the governmental entity on whose |
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behalf the registrant is reimbursed, retained, or employed; |
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(5) the subject matter of the legislation or of the |
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administrative action that is the subject of the registrant's |
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direct communication with a member of the legislative or executive |
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branch and, if applicable, the docket number or other |
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administrative designation of the administrative action; |
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(6) [(5)] for each person employed or retained by the |
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registrant for the purpose of assisting in direct communication |
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with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence |
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legislation or administrative action: |
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(A) the full name, business address, and |
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occupation of the person; and |
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(B) the subject matter of the legislation or of |
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the administrative action to which the person's activities |
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reportable under this section were related and, if applicable, the |
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docket number or other administrative designation of the |
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administrative action; and |
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(7) [(6)] the amount of compensation or reimbursement |
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paid by each person who reimburses, retains, or employs the |
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registrant for the purpose of communicating directly with a member |
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of the legislative or executive branch or on whose behalf the |
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registrant communicates directly with a member of the legislative |
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or executive branch. |
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(g-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, |
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compensation or reimbursement required to be reported under |
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Subsection (f)(7) [(f)(6)] shall be reported as an exact amount if: |
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(1) the compensation or reimbursement received |
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exceeds $500,000; or |
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(2) the registrant is reimbursed, retained, or |
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employed by a governmental entity or by another entity on behalf of |
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a governmental entity. |
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(l) The reimbursement, retention, or employment of a |
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registrant by an attorney to communicate directly with a member of |
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the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or |
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administrative action on behalf of a governmental entity is not the |
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provision of legal representation subject to attorney-client |
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privilege and must be disclosed as required by this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 305.005, Government Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies only to a lobbyist registration or renewal filed |
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on or after December 1, 2013. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |