| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to lobbying by certain former officers of state |
|
|
government; creating a criminal 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 572.062 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 572.062. FORMER LEGISLATOR OR STATEWIDE OFFICEHOLDER: |
|
|
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 person who is a |
|
|
former member of the legislature or a former holder of an office |
|
|
normally filled by statewide election may not engage in activities |
|
|
that require registration under Chapter 305 before the first |
|
|
anniversary of the first day of the first regular legislative |
|
|
session to convene after the date the person ceases to be a member |
|
|
of the legislature or statewide officeholder, as applicable. |
|
|
(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a person who: |
|
|
(1) communicates directly with a member of the |
|
|
legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or |
|
|
administrative action; and |
|
|
(2) does not receive compensation other than |
|
|
reimbursement for actual expenses for a communication described by |
|
|
Subdivision (1). |
|
|
(d) A person who violates this section commits an offense. |
|
|
An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 572.062, Government Code, as added by |
|
|
this Act, applies only to a member of the legislature or statewide |
|
|
officeholder who ceases to hold office on or after the effective |
|
|
date of this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 8, 2019. |