TITLE: Relating to the reporting of the hiring of lobbyists on behalf of a governmental entity.

SUMMARY: Relating to the reporting of the hiring of lobbyists on behalf of a governmental entity.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the reporting of the hiring of lobbyists on behalf of a governmental entity. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 305.005, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (f) and (g-1) and adding Subsection (l) 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) if applicable: (A) an indication that the person identified under Subdivision (3) is a governmental entity or an entity that reimburses, retains, or employs the registrant on behalf of a governmental entity; and (B) the name of the governmental entity on whose behalf the registrant is reimbursed, retained, or employed; (5) 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; (6) [(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 (7) [(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. (g-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, compensation or reimbursement required to be reported under Subsection (f)(7) [(f)(6)] shall be reported as an exact amount if:(1) the compensation or reimbursement received exceeds $500,000;or (2) the registrant is reimbursed, retained, or employed by a governmental entity or by another entity on behalf of a governmental entity.(l) The reimbursement, retention, or employment of a registrant by an attorney to communicate directly with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action on behalf of a governmental entity is not the provision of legal representation subject to attorney-client privilege and must be disclosed as required by this section. SECTION 2. Section 305.005, Government Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a lobbyist registration or renewal filed on or after December 1, 2013. 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.