BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2233
	By: Men�ndez et al.
	State Affairs
	4/28/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The culture in and around the Texas Capitol contains a history of sexual assault, harassment, and predatory behavior. In the past, the legislature has made strides to address these deeply rooted systemic issues.

Most recently a staffer reported that a lobbyist used the "date rape drug" on her. Since this report occurred, the Texas Department of Public Safety is conducting a full investigation. Moreover, a lobbying group has shared that they hired outside legal counsel to launch an internal investigation.

There should be no room for sexual assault, harassment, and predatory behavior in the Texas Capitol. Our office and the entire Texas Senate joint authored S.B. 2233, which requires the registration of a lobbyist to be contingent on the completion of a sexual harassment prevention training course and the completion of an ethics course. The Texas Ethics Commission will be granted authority to approve the course.

We have many more strides to make. However, ensuring at a minimum the completion of sexual harassment prevention training and ethics courses will help ensure safe, responsible, and professional individuals are working in and around our building.

As proposed, S.B. 2233 amends current law relating to requiring sexual harassment prevention training and ethics training to register as a lobbyist.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Ethics Commission in SECTION 2 (Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053, Government Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 305.005(f), Government Code, as follows:

(f) Requires that the registration of a lobbyist be written and verified and contain certain information, including a certificate evidencing completion of a sexual harassment prevention training course in the previous two years, as required by Section 305.0052 and a certificate evidencing completion of an ethics training course in the previous two years, as required by Section 305.0053.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 305, Government Code, by adding Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053, as follows:

Sec. 305.0052.� SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING. (a) Requires each person required to register under Chapter 305 (Registration of Lobbyists) to attend a sexual harassment prevention training course every two years, as approved by the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC), and to submit to TEC a certificate of completion of the course.

(b) Requires that the certificate of completion be in a form approved by TEC.

Sec. 305.0053. ETHICS TRAINING. (a) Requires that each person required to register under Chapter 305 attend an ethics training course every two years, as approved by TEC, and submit to TEC a certificate of completion of the course.

(b) Requires that the certificate of completion be in a form approved by TEC.

SECTION 3. Requires TEC, not later than December 1, 2021, to adopt rules as required by Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053, Government Code, as added by this Act.��

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2022.

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.