Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a political subdivision from spending public taxpayer funds (Sec. 1):

• 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

• Hires or contracts with an individual required to register as a lobbyist.

• Specifies that these provisions do not apply to an association or organization that solely represents elected sheriffs or individual law enforcement officers (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if a political subdivision engages in an activity prohibited by this bill, 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).

• Requires that a taxpayer or resident who prevails in an action under this bill be entitled 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).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 91 days after the final adjournment date of the current legislative session (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text