Bill Text: TX SB345 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to lobbying by former members of the legislature; creating a criminal offense.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-15 - Referred to State Affairs [SB345 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB345-Introduced.html

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88R126 JG-D
By: Middleton S.B. No. 345

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to lobbying by former members of the legislature; creating
a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 572.062 to read as follows:
Sec. 572.062. FORMER LEGISLATOR: LOBBYING RESTRICTED;
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "administrative action,"
"communicates directly with," "legislation," "member of the
executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch" have the
meanings assigned by Section 305.002.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a former member of
the legislature may not engage in activities that require
registration under Chapter 305 before the date of final adjournment
of the second regular session of the legislature to convene after
the date the person ceases to be a member of the legislature.
(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a former member of the
legislature who:
(1) communicates directly with a member of the
legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or
administrative action on behalf of:
(A) a nonprofit organization that does not
represent a political subdivision of this state;
(B) an individual;
(C) a group of low-income individuals; or
(D) a group of individuals with disabilities; and
(2) does not receive compensation other than
reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication
described by Subdivision (1).
(d) A former member of the legislature who violates this
section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class
A misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Section 572.062, Government Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to a member of the legislature who ceases to
be a member on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.