87R8026 TJB-F
 
  By: Jetton H.B. No. 2319
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of public money to compensate a person who
  lobbies the federal government.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 556.005(a), (b), and (d), Government
  Code, are 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 or who is a
  lobbyist or lobbying firm as defined by Section 3 of the Lobbying
  Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Section 1602). 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 or who is a lobbyist or
  lobbying firm as defined by Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act
  of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Section 1602).
         (b)  A state agency may not use appropriated money to pay, on
  behalf of the agency or an officer or employee of the agency,
  membership dues to an organization that pays part or all of the
  salary of a person who is required by Chapter 305 to register as a
  lobbyist or who is a lobbyist or lobbying firm as defined by Section
  3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Section 1602).
  This subsection does not apply to the payment by a state agency of
  membership fees under Chapter 81.
         (d)  A state agency administering a statewide retirement
  plan may enter into a contract to receive assistance or advice
  regarding the qualified tax status of the plan or on other federal
  matters affecting the administration of the state agency or its
  programs if the contractor is not:
               (1)  required by Chapter 305 to register as a lobbyist;
  or
               (2)  a lobbyist or lobbying firm as defined by Section 3
  of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Section 1602).
         SECTION 2.  Section 556.0055(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A political subdivision or private entity that receives
  state funds may not use the funds to pay:
               (1)  lobbying expenses incurred by the recipient of the
  funds;
               (2)  a person or entity that is:
                     (A)  required by Chapter 305 to register as a
  lobbyist [with the Texas Ethics Commission under Chapter 305]; or
                     (B)  a lobbyist or lobbying firm as defined by
  Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. Section
  1602);
               (3)  any partner, employee, employer, relative,
  contractor, consultant, or related entity of a person or entity
  described by Subdivision (2); or
               (4)  a person or entity that has been hired to represent
  associations or other entities for the purpose of affecting the
  outcome of legislation, agency rules, ordinances, or other
  government policies.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  the use of public money to compensate a person defined by federal
  law as a lobbyist or lobbying firm on or after the effective date of
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.