86R10352 JG-D
 
  By: Hall S.B. No. 1614
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the disclosure and recording of information on the use
  of money by certain public entities for lobbying activities;
  creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 556, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 556.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 556.010.  DISCLOSURE AND RECORDING OF INFORMATION ON
  USE OF MONEY FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES. (a) This section applies to
  a public entity, including a political subdivision or a state
  agency, that receives public money or revenue from this state
  through an appropriation or other means.
         (b)  Not later than December 31 of each year, a public entity
  must prepare and submit to the Texas Ethics Commission and post on
  the entity's Internet website a written report that discloses:
               (1)  the total amount of money spent by the entity
  during the preceding year to directly or indirectly influence or
  attempt to influence the outcome of legislation;
               (2)  the name of each person required to register as a
  lobbyist under Chapter 305 who was compensated by the entity during
  the preceding year to directly or indirectly influence or attempt
  to influence the outcome of legislation;
               (3)  if applicable, the name of any organization for
  which the person described by Subdivision (2) is employed; and
               (4)  each line item in the entity's budget that
  indicates the amount of money spent by the entity to compensate a
  person described by Subdivision (2).
         (c)  Before spending money to directly or indirectly
  influence or attempt to influence the outcome of legislation, the
  governing body of a public entity shall vote by line item on whether
  to spend the money. The results of a vote held in accordance with
  this subsection must be included in the minutes of the meeting at
  which the vote was held along with, if applicable:
               (1)  the total amount of money authorized to be spent;
               (2)  the name of each person required to register as a
  lobbyist under Chapter 305 whom the entity plans to compensate as a
  result of the vote to directly or indirectly influence or attempt to
  influence the outcome of legislation; and
               (3)  the name of any organization for which the person
  described by Subdivision (2) is employed.
         (d)  A person designated by a public entity commits an
  offense by failing to disclose or record information on the use of
  money to directly or indirectly influence or attempt to influence
  the outcome of legislation as required by this section. An offense
  under this subsection is:
               (1)  for the first offense, a misdemeanor punishable by
  a fine of not more than $100;
               (2)  for the second offense, a misdemeanor punishable
  by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500; and
               (3)  for the third and any subsequent offense, a Class B
  misdemeanor.
         SECTION 2.  Section 556.010, Government Code, as added by
  this Act, applies to the use of money to directly or indirectly
  influence or attempt to influence the outcome of legislation on or
  after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.