Bill Text: TX SB161 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the completion of sexual harassment prevention training and ethics training to register as a lobbyist.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [SB161 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-SB161-Introduced.html

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89R2723 CJD-D
By: Menéndez, et al. S.B. No. 161

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the completion of sexual harassment prevention training
and ethics training to register as a lobbyist.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 305.005(f), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(f) The registration must be written and verified and must
contain:
(1) the registrant's full name and address;
(2) the registrant's normal business, business phone
number, and business address;
(3) the full name and address of each person:
(A) who reimburses, retains, or employs the
registrant to communicate directly with a member of the legislative
or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative
action; and
(B) on whose behalf the registrant has
communicated directly with a member of the legislative or executive
branch to influence legislation or administrative action;
(4) the subject matter of the legislation or of the
administrative action that is the subject of the registrant's
direct communication with a member of the legislative or executive
branch and, if applicable, the docket number or other
administrative designation of the administrative action;
(5) for each person employed or retained by the
registrant for the purpose of assisting in direct communication
with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence
legislation or administrative action:
(A) the full name, business address, and
occupation of the person; and
(B) the subject matter of the legislation or of
the administrative action to which the person's activities
reportable under this section were related and, if applicable, the
docket number or other administrative designation of the
administrative action; [and]
(6) the amount of compensation or reimbursement paid
by each person who reimburses, retains, or employs the registrant
for the purpose of communicating directly with a member of the
legislative or executive branch or on whose behalf the registrant
communicates directly with a member of the legislative or executive
branch;
(7) a certificate evidencing the registrant's
completion of a sexual harassment prevention training course in the
previous two years, as required by Section 305.0052; and
(8) a certificate evidencing the registrant's
completion of an ethics training course in the previous two years,
as required by Section 305.0053.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 305, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053 to read as
follows:
Sec. 305.0052. SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING. (a)
Each individual required to register under this chapter shall every
two years:
(1) attend a sexual harassment prevention training
course approved by the commission; and
(2) submit to the commission a certificate evidencing
completion of the course.
(b) The certificate of completion must be in a form approved
by the commission.
(c) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
Sec. 305.0053. ETHICS TRAINING. (a) Each individual
required to register under this chapter shall every two years:
(1) attend an ethics training course approved by the
commission; and
(2) submit to the commission a certificate evidencing
completion of the course.
(b) The certificate of completion must be in a form approved
by the commission.
(c) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas Ethics
Commission shall adopt rules as required by Sections 305.0052 and
305.0053, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. Section 305.005, Government Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to a registration required to be filed under
that section on or after January 1, 2026.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.