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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to lobbying by certain former officers of state |
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government; creating 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 OR STATEWIDE OFFICEHOLDER: |
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LOBBYING RESTRICTED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In this section, |
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"administrative action," "communicates directly with," |
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"legislation," "member of the executive branch," and "member of the |
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legislative branch" have the meanings assigned by Section 305.002. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person who is a |
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former member of the legislature or a former holder of an office |
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normally filled by statewide election may not engage in activities |
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that require registration under Chapter 305 before the first |
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anniversary of the first day of the first regular legislative |
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session to convene after the date the person ceases to be a member |
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of the legislature or statewide officeholder, as applicable. |
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(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a person who: |
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(1) 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; and |
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(2) does not receive compensation other than |
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reimbursement for actual expenses for a communication described by |
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Subdivision (1). |
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(d) A person who violates this section commits an offense. |
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An offense under this section is a Class B 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 or statewide |
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officeholder who ceases to hold office on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 12, 2021. |