Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits Texas public tax funds from being used in lobbying or other activities.

Highlights:

• Prohibits Texas public tax funds from being used in lobbying or other activities, including (Sec. 1-4):

• To hire or contract with an individual required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 to lobby a member of the legislature; or

• To pay a nonprofit association or organization that:

• Primarily represents political subdivisions: and

• Contracts with an individual required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305.

• Specifies this bill does not apply to an association or organization that solely represents elected sheriffs and does not prohibit (Sec. 1-4):

• An officer or employee of a political subdivision from providing information to a member of the legislature or appearing before a legislative committee;

• An elected officer of a political subdivision from advocating for or against, or otherwise influencing or attempting to influence the outcome of legislation pending before the legislature while acting as an officer of the political subdivision;

• An employee of a political subdivision from advocating for or against or otherwise influencing or attempting to influence the outcome of legislation pending before the legislature if those actions would not require a person to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305;

• A political subdivision from reimbursing an officer or full-time employee of the political subdivision for direct travel expenses incurred by the officer or employee for engaging in an activity described by Subdivision (1), (2), or (3); or

• A full-time employee of a nonprofit association or organization that primarily represents political subdivisions of this state from engaging in activities that would require registration as a lobbyist under Chapter 305.

• Specifies if a political subdivision engages in an activity prohibited by Subsection (a), a taxpayer or resident of the political subdivision is entitled to appropriate injunctive relief to prevent further activity prohibited by that subsection and further payment of public funds related to that activity (Sec. 1-4).

• Authorizes a taxpayer or resident who prevails in an action under Subsection (c) to recover from the political subdivision the taxpayer’s or resident’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in bringing the action (Sec. 1-4).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning September 1, 2025 (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text