SB 29, Hse 2nd Rdg, Amnd #11

SECTION ____. (a) Section 556.005(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, Section 556.0056, Government Code, as transferred, redesignated, and amended by this Act, and Section 556.0057, Government Code, as added by this Act, apply only to an expenditure or payment of public funds that is made on or after the effective date of this Act, including an expenditure or payment of public funds that is made under a contract entered into before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. A contract term providing for an expenditure or payment prohibited by Section 556.005(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, Section 556.0056, Government Code, as transferred, redesignated, and amended by this Act, and Section 556.0057, Government Code, as added by this Act, is void on the effective date of this Act for being counter to public policy.

(2) Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill:

SECTION ____. Section 556.005(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A state agency may not use appropriated money to employ, as a regular full-time or part-time or contract employee, a person who is required by Chapter 305 to register as a lobbyist. A [~~Except for an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, a~~] state agency may not use any money under its control to employ or contract with an individual who is required by Chapter 305 to register as a lobbyist.

SECTION ____. Chapter 556, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 556.0057 to read as follows:

Sec. 556.0057. LOBBYING ACTIVITIES OF STATE AGENCY; EMPLOYMENT OF FEDERAL LOBBYIST. (a) In this section, "lobbyist" means a person who is defined as a "lobbying firm" or "lobbyist" under Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Section 1602).

(b) A state agency may not spend public money to:

(1) directly or indirectly influence or attempt to influence the outcome of any legislation pending before the Congress of the United States; or

(2) employ in any capacity or contract with a lobbyist.

(1) an individual from providing information to a member of the Congress of the United States or appearing before a congressional committee at the request of the committee or the member of Congress; or

(2) an elected officer from advocating for or against or otherwise influencing or attempting to influence the outcome of legislation pending before the Congress of the United States while acting as an officer.

SECTION ____. Section 556.008, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 556.008. COMPENSATION PROHIBITION. A state agency may not use appropriated money to compensate a state officer or employee who violates Section 556.004(a), (b), or (c) or Section 556.005, 556.0057, or 556.006(a), or who is subject to termination under Section 556.007.

SECTION ____. Section 556.009(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A state agency shall provide each officer and employee of the agency a copy of Sections 556.004, 556.005, 556.0057, 556.006, 556.007, and 556.008 and require a signed receipt on delivery. A new copy and receipt are required if one of those provisions is changed.

SECTION ____. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to conduct occurring on or after the effective date of this Act. Conduct engaged in before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the conduct occurred, regardless of when a person was compensated for the conduct, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.