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AN ACT
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relating to lobbying activities and the registration of lobbyists. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 305.002, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows: |
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(2-a) "Communicates directly with a member of the |
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legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or |
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administrative action" or any variation of the phrase includes |
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establishing goodwill with the member for the purpose of later |
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communicating with the member to influence legislation or |
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administrative action. |
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SECTION 2. Section 305.003, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (b-3) and (b-4) to read as follows: |
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(b-3) Subsection (a)(2) does not require a person to |
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register if the person spends not more than 26 hours, or another |
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amount of time determined by the commission, for which the person is |
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compensated or reimbursed during the calendar quarter engaging in |
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activity, including preparatory activity as defined by the |
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commission, to communicate directly with a member of the |
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legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or |
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administrative action. |
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(b-4) If a person spends more than eight hours in a single |
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day engaging in activity 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, the person is considered to have engaged in |
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the activity for only eight hours during that day for purposes of |
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Subsection (b-3). |
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SECTION 3. Section 305.003, Government Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies only to a registration or registration renewal |
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required to be filed under Chapter 305, Government Code, on or after |
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the effective date of this Act. A registration or registration |
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renewal required to be filed under Chapter 305, Government Code, |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
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effect on the date the registration or registration renewal is due, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3512 was passed by the House on May 8, |
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2015, by the following vote: Yeas 122, Nays 12, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3512 was passed by the Senate on May |
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27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |