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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 engage in activities that require |
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registration under Chapter 305 before the date of final adjournment |
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of the second regular session of the legislature to convene after |
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the date the person ceases to be a member of the legislature. |
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(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a former member of the |
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legislature 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 that does not |
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represent a political subdivision of this state; |
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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 of the legislature who violates this |
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section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class |
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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. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |