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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to lobbying by former members of the legislature; creating |
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a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 572.062 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 572.062. FORMER LEGISLATOR: LOBBYING RESTRICTED; |
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CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "administrative action," |
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"communicates directly with," "legislation," "member of the |
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executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch" have the |
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meanings assigned by Section 305.002. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a former member of |
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the legislature may not, before the date of final adjournment of the |
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second regular session of the legislature to convene after the date |
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the person ceases to be a member, engage in activities that require |
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registration under Chapter 305. |
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(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a former member who: |
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(1) communicates directly with a member of the |
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legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or |
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administrative action on behalf of: |
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(A) a nonprofit organization; |
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(B) an individual; |
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(C) a group of low-income individuals; or |
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(D) a group of individuals with disabilities; and |
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(2) does not receive compensation other than |
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reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication |
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described by Subdivision (1). |
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(d) A former member who violates this section commits an |
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offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. Section 572.062, Government Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies only to a member of the legislature who ceases to |
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be a member on or after the effective date of this Act. A member of |
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the legislature who ceases to be a member before the effective date |
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of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before |
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that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |