85R2633 EES-D
 
  By: Fallon H.B. No. 444
 
 
 
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, 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, engage in activities that require
  registration under Chapter 305.
         (c)  Subsection (b) does not apply to a former member 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;
                     (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 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 immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.