Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB586 by Watson (Relating to the content of detailed reports filed by lobbyists.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Government Code to delink the threshold for reporting of certain lobby expenditures from the legislative per diem, and would expand lobby reporting requirements to include expenditures for immediate family members of the legislative or executive branch. The bill would also require the Ethics Commission to notify a member of the legislature or executive branch, as well as a registered lobbyist, when the lobbyist's expenditures exceed certain limits. The Ethics Commission indicates that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.