83R10591 EES-D
 
  By: Davis S.B. No. 1254
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to lobbying by former state agency officers and executive
  heads; creating an offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 572.069 to read as follows:
         Sec. 572.069.  FORMER OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE HEADS OF STATE
  AGENCIES: 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 appointed
  officer of a state agency or a former executive head of a state
  agency may not, before the second anniversary of the date the person
  ceases to be an officer or executive head, engage in activities that
  require registration under Chapter 305.
         (c)  Subsection (b) does not apply to a former appointed
  officer of a state agency or a former executive head of a state
  agency 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 former appointed officer of a state agency or a former
  executive head of a state agency who violates this section commits
  an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
         (e)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this
  section also constitutes an offense under Section 572.054 or other
  law, the person may be prosecuted under this section, the other law,
  or both.
         SECTION 2.  Section 572.069, Government Code, as added by
  this Act, applies only to an appointed officer of a state agency or
  an executive head of a state agency who ceases to be an officer or
  executive head on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.