Source: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/forms/REG_ins.htm
Timestamp: 2018-01-21 10:23:55
Document Index: 568146045

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Form REG Instruction Guide
FORM REG - INSTRUCTION GUIDE
Substitution of Forms
Changes to Registration Information During a Regular Legislative Session
Terminating Your Lobby Registration
FILLING OUT FORM REG
Schedule A: Employer/Client
Part 2 - Compensation
Part 3 - Organizational Information
Part 3(a) - Unincorporated Entity
Part 3(b) - Corporation Not Publicly Traded
Part 4 - Lobbying Subject Matter
Part 5 - Representation As An Independent Contractor
Part 6 - State Agency As A Client
Schedule B: Assistant
These instructions provide general information about lobby registration and detailed instructions for completing the Lobby Registration Form (Form REG) to be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. Copies of chapter 305 of the Government Code (the lobby statute), the commission rules, and a guide titled LOBBYING IN TEXAS: A Guide to The Texas Law are available from the Ethics Commission or on the Ethics Commission’s website at www.ethics.state.tx.us on the Internet.
If you have specific questions concerning lobby registration or how to complete this form, please call the Texas Ethics Commission at (512) 463-5800.
Electronic Filing. Beginning with filing for 2005, lobbyist registration reports and lobby activity reports are required to be filed electronically unless the lobby registrant is eligible to claim an exemption. Please check the Texas Ethics Commission’s website for information about the Ethics Commission’s electronic filing software and for information about exemptions from the electronic filing requirement.
Who Must Register. In the Texas lobby law, "to lobby" means to communicate directly with any officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch of state government to influence legislation or administrative action.
Under Texas law, a person (individual or entity) must register as a lobbyist if that person either:
receives, or is entitled to receive under an agreement under which the person is retained or employed, compensation or reimbursement of more than of $1,000 in a calendar quarter, not including reimbursement for the person’s own travel, food, lodging, or membership dues, to lobby; or
makes expenditures of the type listed in Government Code section 305.006(b) of more than $500 in a calendar quarter, not including expenditures for the person’s own travel, food, lodging, or membership dues, to lobby.
The expenditures listed in Government Code section 305.006(b) are expenditures for transportation, lodging, food, beverages, entertainment, gifts, awards, mementos, and expenditures for the attendance of officers or employees of the legislative or executive branch of state government at political fundraisers or charity events.
For detailed information about calculating the registration thresholds, refer to the Ethics Commission guide titled "LOBBYING IN TEXAS: A Guide To The Texas Law."
A person must register no later than five days after the lobby communication that requires the person to register.
Independent Contractors. Effective September 1, 2009, certain persons who have communications in their capacity as independent contractors, as defined by Texas Ethics Commission Rule § 34.1(5), AND whose compensation for those communications is contingent on the outcome of a purchasing decision or negotiations regarding such decisions, are required to register as lobbyists and report information about those communications. Section 34.1(5) of the Ethics Commission Rules defines an "independent contractor" as a person, including a consultant, who communicates with a member of the executive branch concerning state agency purchasing decisions involving a product, service, or service provider or negotiations regarding such decisions. The term does not include an employee, as defined by section 305.022(e) of the Government Code, of a vendor.
A person who meets the definition of independent contractor is required to register as a lobbyist if the compensation for the communication is totally or partially contingent on the outcome of a purchasing decision or negotiations regarding such decisions. (To be a legal contingent fee, the amount of the purchasing decision may not exceed $10 million.) A person who is required to register as an independent contractor is considered a registrant subject to all the requirements and restrictions under chapter 305 of the Government Code, the Texas lobby law.
NOTE: Persons who have communications in their capacity as an independent contractor, whose compensation is NOT contingent on the outcome of the purchasing decision or negotiations regarding the purchasing decision, may be required to register under the expenditure threshold.
State Agency as a Client. A person who is paid a sales commission or such fee by a state agency is required to register as a lobbyist and disclose on a lobby registration the state agency as a client and disclose certain information regarding the sales commission or fee.
For detailed information about the law regarding independent contractors and contingent fees, refer to sections 305.005(c), 305.0041, and 305.022 of the Government Code, and sections 34.1(5), 34.46, 34.73, and 34.75 of the Ethics Commission Rules and the Ethics Commission guide titled "LOBBYING IN TEXAS: A Guide To The Texas Law."
Filling Out the Forms. All forms must be either typewritten or handwritten in ink. Print everything but your signature.
When information requested is not applicable to your registration, mark "N/A" in any space or on any page that is inapplicable or check the "not applicable" box provided.
The Lobby Registration Form (Form REG) consists of a cover sheet; a Schedule A for each person who reimburses, retains, or employs the registrant to lobby; and a Schedule B for each person who assists the registrant in lobby activities.
Photocopies of Forms. You may photocopy current Ethics Commission forms, but any report filed with the Ethics Commission must have an original signature.
Note: You should retain copies of all reports filed with the commission for future reference.
Substitution of Forms. You may use your own computer-generated form if it provides for disclosure of all the information required on the commission’s form and it is substantially similar in paper size and format. You may submit a substitute form for pre-approval by the commission’s executive director.
Effective Date of Registration. A lobby registration takes effect on the filing date. If a registration is sent to the Ethics Commission by first-class United States mail or by common or contract carrier properly addressed and with the postage or handling charges prepaid, the filing date is the date of the post office cancellation mark or receipt mark of the common or contract carrier. The date mark from an office postage meter does not determine the filing date.
The mailing address for the Ethics Commission is P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070.
Changes in Information. If any of the information provided in this registration changes (other than information requested on Part 3(a) or 3(b) of Schedule A), you must file a Lobby Registration Amendment (Form AREG) showing the changed information by the 10th day of the month following the month the information changed. Subject matter changes can also be made on a timely filed monthly Lobby Activities Report (Form LA).
Terminating Your Lobby Registration. A lobby registration automatically expires on December 31 of the year in which you register. If you cease to engage in activities requiring lobby registration before December 31, you must file a Termination Notice (Form TN) and a final Lobby Activities Report (Form LA). Form TN and instructions are available from the Texas Ethics Commission or on the Ethics Commission’s website at http://www.ethics.state.tx.us.
1. Number of Schedules Filed. You must file a Schedule A for each person who reimburses, retains, or employs you to lobby. Enter the total number of Schedule A that you are filing with this registration.
You must file a Schedule B for each person who assists you in your lobby activities. Enter the total number of Schedule B that you are filing with this registration.
2. Registration Fee Enclosed. Your registration does not take effect until you pay the registration fee. (Make checks payable to the Texas Ethics Commission.)
For most filers, the annual registration fee is $750.
The registration fee is $150 if all of your clients are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as well as for any registrant who is employed exclusively by such an organization. To register at this level, all of your clients must qualify as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6), Internal Revenue Code of 1986. If you are selecting this level of registration, you must first verify that at the time of the selection, all of your clients are listed on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Business-Master-File-Extract-EO-BMF (then scroll down the web page to find the excel files for Texas).
If all of your clients are not listed on the IRS website, you must provide for each of the clients not listed, qualifying documentation to the Texas Ethics Commission verifying that the client is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, before you can register at this level. Submit qualifying documentation to the Texas Ethics Commission in one of the following ways: fax to 512-463-8808, or mail or hand deliver to Texas Ethics Commission, 201 E. 14th St., Sam Houston Building - 10th Floor, Austin, TX 78701.
If you cannot provide such qualifying documentation for clients not listed on the above IRS website, then you are subject to the $750 registration fee.
The registration fee is $75 for a person who is required to register under section 305.0041 of the Government Code and who meets all of the following criteria: 1) the person is an independent contractor as defined by Texas Ethics Commission Rule § 34.1(5); 2) the person's only direct communication with a member of the executive branch to influence administrative action is as an independent contractor; 3) the compensation for the communication is totally or partially contingent on the outcome of a purchasing decision, or negotiations regarding such decisions, and the amount of the purchasing decision does not exceed $10 million; and 4) the person is also required to register under the compensation threshold set by section 305.003(a)(2) of the Government Code but does not exceed the expenditure threshold set by section 305.003(a)(1) of the Government Code. An independent contractor who is required to register as a lobbyist under the lobby law but who does not meet all of these criteria is subject to the $750 registration fee. An independent contractor who qualifies for the $75 registration fee but who ceases to meet the criteria at any time during the calendar year becomes subject to the $750 registration fee.
3. Reporting Schedule. You must specify the reporting schedule under which you will be filing.
Modified (Annual). You may select "MODIFIED" reporting ONLY IF you do not intend to exceed $1,000 during the calendar year in lobby expenditures attributable to officers or employees of the legislative or executive branch or to the immediate family of officers or employees of the legislative or executive branch for the following purposes: transportation, lodging, food, beverages, entertainment, gifts, awards, mementos, or the attendance of officers or employees of the legislative or executive branch of state government at political fundraisers or charity events.
If you select "MODIFIED" reporting and remain eligible for modified reporting, you will file only one Lobby Activities Report (Form LA), which will cover the entire calendar year for which the registration is effective. This annual report is due January 10th of the next year. If you do not check the box for modified reporting, you will be required to file monthly reports, regardless of the amount of reportable lobby expenditures you make.
Note: If you register for modified (annual) filing but exceed the $1,000 threshold during the calendar year, you must begin filing monthly activities reports. Your first monthly report will be due by the 10th day of the month following the month in which you exceeded the $1,000 threshold and must cover activities occurring during the period from January 1 through the last day of the month in which you exceeded $1,000 in lobby expenditures.
Regular (Monthly). If you are not eligible to file under the modified reporting schedule, you must file on a monthly basis. Even if you are eligible for the annual filing option, you may choose to file Lobby Activities Reports (Form LA) on a monthly basis. Monthly activities reports are due by the 10th day of each month and cover the activities of the preceding month. (If you register anytime after the month of January, your first activities report must cover the period beginning January 1 and ending the last day of the month during which you registered.)
Note: If you register for monthly filing but later determine that you will not exceed the threshold during the calendar year, you may change your filing status from "REGULAR" to "MODIFIED" by filing a Lobby Registration Amendment (Form AREG). An annual activities report will then be due by January 10 of the next year. You must file any monthly reports due during the period you are registered as a monthly filer.
4. Registrant Name. Provide your complete name. If the registrant is an entity, provide its usual business name.
5. Is the Registrant an Entity? Check "YES" if the registrant is an entity. Although the registration requirements apply to both individuals and entities, an entity that crosses one of the lobby registration thresholds may avoid registration if all activities that would be reportable by the entity are reported by one or more individual registrants. 1 T.A.C. §§ 34.45, .65, .85. An entity that avoids registration by having one or more individual registrants report activity on its behalf becomes subject to the restrictions under section 305.024 of the Government Code on the earlier of the date the entity makes the expenditure that would have required the entity to register as a lobbyist or the date the entity receives, or is entitled to receive, compensation or reimbursement that would have required the entity to register as a lobbyist. 1 T.A.C. § 34.45(b).
The individual registrant shall report the compensation by the date on which the entity, if registered, would have been required to report it. The individual registrant shall indicate on a registration or amended registration, as applicable, that he has reported compensation and/or reimbursement paid to an entity for lobby activity by one or more persons other than the registrant. 1 T.A.C. § 34.65(c). For details of the rules applicable to an entity avoiding registration see 1 T.A.C. §§ 34.45, .65, .85.
Note:An individual employee of an entity must register if the individual crosses one of the registration thresholds, regardless of whether the entity is registered.
6. Registrant’s Normal Business. State your normal business.
7. Registrant’s Business Address. Provide your business address.
8. Registrant’s Mailing Address. Provide the mailing address that you would like the commission to use for correspondence relating to this registration, if it is different from the address listed above.
If your mailing address is the same as the business address listed above, check the box provided.
9. Business Phone. Provide a phone number where you may be reached during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday.
10. Is the Registrant a Lobby Firm Employee? If you are an employee of a business entity engaged in the representation of clients for the purpose of influencing legislation or administrative action, give the name, address, and phone number of the firm. You must complete a Schedule A for each client of the firm on whose behalf you communicated directly with an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch of state government. You must file a Schedule A for the firm itself if the firm reimburses, retains, or employs you to lobby on behalf of the firm itself.
11. Person(s) Providing Compensation and/or Reimbursement from Political Funds. Provide the full name and address of each person who compensates or reimburses you (or a person acting as your agent) for your services, including political consulting services, from a political contribution, from interest received from a political contribution, or from an asset purchased with a political contribution. Note that this disclosure requirement applies to "any service" for which you are compensated or reimbursed with political funds, regardless of whether the service is related to your activity as a lobbyist. This information must be disclosed for compensation or reimbursement received on or after September 1, 2013. Skip this section if you do not receive compensation or reimbursement from political funds.
You may attach more pages as necessary to complete this section. If you do so, check the "additional pages" box.
12. Subject Matter Categories. Check all boxes that describe the subject matter of your lobby communications.
13. Docket Numbers or Other Designation. If applicable, list the docket numbers or other administrative designations of the matters that are the subject of your communications with officers or employees of the executive branch.
14. Signature. The Lobby Registration Form must be signed and verified. If the registrant is a business or other entity, the person who signs the registration must be a person whose actions legally bind the organization, such as the owner, an officer, or a director. The person who signs the report must also affirm that, to the best of the person's knowledge, the person has complied with section 305.028, Government Code.
Section 305.028 provides as follows:
(1) “Client” means a person or entity for which the registrant is registered or is required to be registered.
(2) “Matter” means the subject matters for which a registrant has been reimbursed, retained, or employed by a client to communicate directly with a member of the legislative or executive branch.
(3) “Person associated with the registrant” or “other associated person” means a partner or other person professionally associated with the registrant through a common business entity, other than a client, that reimburses, retains, or employs the registrant.
(B) the registrant's, employer's or concern's own interests, or other associated person's own business interests
Subsection (i) repealed by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., H.B. 2202, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
If the $150 registration fee was selected, the person who signs this report must also affirm that, to the best of the person's knowledge, the person has listed only employers/clients that qualify as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and, for any employer/client not listed on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Business-Master-File-Extract-EO-BMF, the person has provided for each client not listed, qualifying documentation to the Texas Ethics Commission verifying that the client is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6), Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Changes in Information. If any of the information provided in this registration changes (other than information requested on Part 3(a) or 3(b) of Schedule A), you must file a Lobby Registration Amendment (Form AREG) showing the changed information by the 10th day of the month following the month the information changed. Subject matter changes can also be made on a timely filed monthly Lobby Activities Report (Form LA). If the change occurs during a regular legislative session, you must file Form AREG showing the changed information by the 5th day after the information changed.
You must complete a separate Schedule A for each person that reimburses, retains, or employs you to influence legislation or administrative action and on whose behalf you have engaged in lobby communications.
If you are employed by a business entity engaged in the representation of clients for the purpose of influencing legislation or administrative action, you must complete a Schedule A for each of the firm’s clients for which you lobby. You must also complete a Schedule A for the firm itself if the firm reimburses, retains, or employs you to lobby on behalf of the firm itself.
1. Total Pages This Schedule A. Once you complete a Schedule A in regard to a particular employer or client, count the total number of pages of that Schedule A and write the total in this box. (Each side you complete counts as a page.)
2. Registrant Name. Print your name in the space provided.
3. Employer/Client Name. Print the name of the person covered by this Schedule A. Remember that you must complete a separate Schedule A for each person that employs you to lobby. If you are employed by a business entity engaged in the representation of clients for the purpose of influencing legislation or administrative action, you must complete a Schedule A for each of the firm’s clients for which you lobby. You must also complete a Schedule A for the firm itself if the firm reimburses, retains, or employs you to lobby on behalf of the firm itself.
4. Employer/Client Mailing Address. Provide the mailing address of the person covered by this Schedule A.
1. Level of Compensation for Lobbying. You may report compensation and reimbursement either in one of the stated categories or as an exact amount. If the compensation and reimbursement amount exceeds $500,000 you must enter the exact amount.
You must report compensation and/or reimbursement that you receive or are entitled to receive under an agreement under which you are retained or employed.
If you are compensated and/or reimbursed for both lobbying and non-lobbying services, you must make a reasonable allocation of your compensation and/or reimbursement and report only the amount received for lobbying.
If you are employed, reimbursed, or retained by a business entity that receives compensation and/or reimbursement for lobby activities, you are required to report all compensation and/or reimbursement paid to the entity for your lobby activities. (See "Individual Reporting for Entity" below if you are reporting compensation and/or reimbursement paid to the entity for lobby activities by persons other than yourself.)
2. Type of Compensation Being Reported. You must indicate whether the compensation and/or reimbursement being reported is "PAID," "EARNED," or "PROSPECTIVE." Check only one box.
Paid. Check this box if you are reporting only compensation that has actually been received at the time of registration.
Earned (but not received). Check this box if you are reporting compensation that has been received and also compensation that has been earned but not yet received.
Prospective. Check this box if you are reporting compensation that has been paid, compensation earned (but not received), and also compensation that you anticipate will be received or earned by terms of a contract or written agreement.
Note: You must always report compensation that has been paid to you. The "EARNED (but not received)" and "PROSPECTIVE" options permit you to also include compensation that you expect to receive by terms of a contract or other agreement and thereby avoid the necessity of filing an amended registration when you actually receive such compensation.
3. Individual Reporting Compensation And/Or Reimbursement For Entity. Check "YES" if you are reporting compensation and/or reimbursement on this Schedule A at the request of an entity that has chosen not to register pursuant to Ethics Commission Rule § 34.45. If you check "YES," provide the name, address, and phone number of the entity. Checking "YES" indicates that you are reporting not only compensation and/or reimbursement paid to the entity for your lobby activities but also compensation and/or reimbursement for activities by one or more other persons. Compensation and/or reimbursement reported on behalf of the entity must be reported by the date on which the entity, if registered, would have been required to report it.
1. Is the Employer/Client an Entity or an Individual?
Entity. If your employer/client is any type of entity other than an individual, check the "ENTITY" box and continue on to the next question.
Individual. If your employer/client is an individual, check the "INDIVIDUAL" box, and complete Part 4 of this Schedule A.
2. Is the Employer/Client a Corporation?
Yes. If your employer/client is a corporation, check "YES" and continue on to the next question.
No. If your employer/client is not a corporation, check "NO" and complete Part 3(a) of this Schedule A.
3. Are the Shares of the Corporation Publicly Traded?
Yes. If your employer/client is a corporation the shares of which are publicly traded, check "YES" and complete Part 4 of this Schedule A.
No. If your employer/client is a corporation the shares of which are not publicly traded, check "NO" and complete Part 3(b) of this Schedule A.
4. Are Your Communications on Behalf of this Client in Your Capacity as an Independent Contractor (as Defined by Texas Ethics Commission Rule § 34.1(5)) Whose Compensation for Communications is Totally or Partially Contingent on the Outcome of a Purchasing Decision or Negotiations Regarding such Decisions?
Yes. If your communications on behalf of this client are in your capacity as an independent contractor AND your compensation for these communications is contingent on the outcome of a purchasing decision or negotiations regarding such decisions, check “YES” and complete Part 5 of Schedule A. "Independent contractor" is defined by Texas Ethics Commission Rule § 34.1(5) as a person, including a consultant, who communicates with a member of the executive branch concerning state agency purchasing decisions involving a product, service, or service provider or negotiations regarding such decisions. The term does not include an employee, as defined by Gov't Code § 305.022(e), of a vendor.
No. Check “NO” if your communications on behalf of this client are not in your capacity as an independent contractor as described above.
5. Is this Client a State Agency that Pays You a Sales Commission or such Fee?
Yes. If this client is a state agency that pays you a sales commission or such fee, check “YES” and complete Part 6 of this Schedule A.
No. Check “NO” if this client is not a state agency that pays you a sales commission or such fee.
If the employer/client covered by this Schedule A is any type of entity other than a corporation, you must fill out Part 3(a). Include your name and the entity’s name in the spaces provided.
1. Entity Membership. State the number of members in the entity. If the membership varies, provide the most current membership number available. You do not need to include the names of members.
2. Name(s) of Person(s) who Determine Lobby Policy. Provide the name of each person in the entity who determines the policy of the entity relating to influencing legislation or administrative action.
3. Description of Policy-Making Methods. Describe the methods by which the entity develops and makes decisions about positions on policy.
4. Contributors. Provide the name of each person making a grant or contribution, in addition to or instead of dues or fees, that exceeds $250 a year.
If no one has made a grant or contribution in addition to or instead of dues or fees exceeding $250 a year, check the "not applicable" box.
If the employer/client covered by this Schedule A is any type of corporation other than a corporation with shares that are publicly traded, you must fill out Part 3(b) of this Schedule A. Include your name and the corporation’s name in the spaces provided.
1. Corporate Shareholders. Provide the number of shareholders in the corporation. If the number of shareholders varies, provide the most current number available. If the corporation does not have shares, mark "N/A." You do not need to include the names of shareholders.
2. Corporate Officers and Board Members. Provide the name and mailing address for each officer and each board member of the corporation.
3. Corporate Ownership/Holdings. List the name of each person who owns 10% or more of the shares of the corporation.
If the corporation does not have shares or if no shareholder owns 10% or more of the shares, check the "not applicable" box.
You must report the subject matter of your lobby activities on behalf of the employer/client covered by this Schedule A. Include your name and the employer/client name in the spaces provided.
1. Subject Matter. Check all boxes that describe the subject matter of your lobby communications on behalf of the employer/client covered by this Schedule A.
Check "ALL MATTERS MARKED ON COVER SHEET" if the subject matter of your lobby communications on behalf of the employer/client covered by this Schedule A is the same as the subject matter marked in box eleven (11) of the cover sheet. Otherwise, check all the boxes that describe the subject matter of your lobby communications on behalf of the employer/client covered by this Schedule A.
2. Docket Numbers or Other Designation. If applicable, list the docket numbers or other administrative designations of the matters that are the subject of your communications with officers or employees of the executive branch on behalf of the employer/client covered by this Schedule A.
PART 5 – REPRESENTATION AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
Complete Part 5 only if your communications on behalf of this client are in your capacity as an independent contractor as defined by Texas Ethics Commission Rule § 34.1(5) AND your compensation for these communications is contingent on the outcome of a purchasing decision or negotiations regarding such decisions.
1. Page Number. Once you complete a Schedule A, Part 5, in regard to a particular client, count the total number of pages of that Schedule A, Part 5, and write the total in this box.
2. Registrant Name. Enter your name in the space provided.
3. Employer/Client Name. Enter the name of the person who is the vendor that you are disclosing as a client. You must complete a separate entry for each client/vendor on whose behalf you communicate concerning state agency purchasing decisions or negotiations regarding such decisions. If you communicate concerning more than one purchasing decision or negotiation on behalf of a single client/vendor, you must complete a separate entry for each separate purchasing decision or negotiation.
4. Is the Client a Vendor of a Product or Service?
Yes. Check "YES" if this client is a vendor of a product or service.
No. Check "NO" if this client is not a vendor of a product or service.
5. Product/Service Description. Enter a description of the product or service that is the subject of your communication on behalf of this client concerning the state agency purchasing decision or negotiation.
NOTE: If you are reporting here, or if you report in number 8, information that relates to a contract that was legally binding prior to September 1, 2009, we recommend that you disclose the date the contract was executed.
6. Amount of Sales Commission/Fee. Enter the dollar amount of the sales commission or such fee, if known. If the amount of the sales commission or fee is based on a percentage of the sale, complete number 7 of this Schedule A, Part 5. If you do not know the amount of the sales commission or fee at this time, complete numbers 9 and 10 of this Schedule A, Part 5.
7. Percentage (if amount is based on a percentage of sales). Enter the percentage amount, if the amount of the sales commission or fee is based on a percentage of the sale.
8. Amount of Purchasing Decision. Enter the dollar amount of the purchasing decision, if known. If you do not know the amount of the purchasing decision at this time, complete numbers 11 and 12 of this Schedule A, Part 5.
NOTE: Effective September 1, 2009, section 305.022(c) of the Government Code, as amended by House Bill 3445 (HB 3445), adopted by the 81st Legislature, prohibits sales commissions in circumstances in which a state agency purchasing decision exceeds 10 million dollars. In Ethics Advisory Opinion 486, the Texas Ethics Commission concluded that section 305.022 does not prohibit a person from retaining, employing, or compensating another or rendering services if the person is obligated to perform such activity pursuant to a contract that was legally binding prior to September 1, 2009. Additionally, the Commission determined that all reporting requirements under chapter 305 of the Government Code, including section 305.022, would also apply in such circumstances.
If you are reporting information about a state agency purchasing decision that exceeds 10 million dollars AND that involves a contract that was legally binding prior to September 1, 2009, we strongly suggest that you disclose the date the contract was executed. That date may be disclosed on number 5, Product/Service Description, of this Schedule A, Part 5.
9. Estimate of Maximum Amount of Sales Commission (if exact amount not known). If you do not know the amount of the sales commission or such fee at this time, you must enter a reasonable estimate of the maximum amount of the sales commission or fee.
10. Method Under Which Sales Commission is Computed (if exact amount not known). Enter a brief description of the method you used to compute the estimated maximum amount of the sales commission or fee disclosed in number 9 of this Schedule A, Part 5.
11. Estimate of Maximum Amount of Purchasing Decision (if exact amount not known). If you do not know the amount of the purchasing decision at this time, you must enter a reasonable estimate of the maximum amount of the purchasing decision.
12. Method Under Which Purchasing Decision is Computed (if exact amount not known). Enter a brief description of the method you used to compute the estimated maximum amount of the purchasing decision disclosed in number 11 of this Schedule A, Part 5.
PART 6 – STATE AGENCY AS A CLIENT
Complete Part 6 only if this client is a state agency that pays you a sales commission or such fee. A person who is paid a sales commission or such fee by a state agency must report the state agency as a client and report information about the amount of the sales commission or fee paid by the state agency.
1. Page Number. Once you complete a Schedule A, Part 6, in regard to a particular client, count the total number of pages of that Schedule A, Part 6, and write the total in this box.
3. Employer/Client Name. Enter the name of the state agency that you are disclosing as a client. You must complete a separate entry for each subject matter for which this state agency paid you a sales commission or such fee.
4. Subject Matter Description. Enter a description of the subject matter for which you were paid a sales commission or such fee by the state agency/client.
5. Amount of Sales Commission/Fee. Enter the dollar amount of the sales commission or such fee, if known. If you do not know the amount of the sales commission or fee at this time, complete numbers 6 and 7 of this Schedule A, Part 6.
6. Estimate of Maximum Amount of Sales Commission (if exact amount not known). If you do not know the amount of the sales commission or such fee at this time, you must enter a reasonable estimate of the maximum amount of the sales commission or fee.
7. Method Under Which Sales Commission is Computed (if exact amount not known). Enter a brief description of the method you used to compute the estimated maximum amount of the sales commission or fee disclosed in number 6 of this Schedule A, Part 6.
You must complete Schedule B for each person you employ or retain for the purpose of assisting in lobby activities. You are not required to file Schedule B for a person who provides only clerical or secretarial help.
A person listed as an assistant is required to register as a lobbyist if the person crosses one of the registration thresholds.
1. Registrant Name. Enter your name here.
2. Assistant Name. Provide the name of your assistant.
3. Assistant’s Business Address. Provide the business mailing address of your assistant.
4. Assistant’s Occupation. State the occupation of your assistant.
5. Subject Matter. Check "ALL MATTERS MARKED ON COVER SHEET" if the person covered by this Schedule B assists you in all matters marked in box eleven (11) of the cover sheet.
Otherwise, check all boxes that describe the subject matter of the lobby activities in which the person assists you.
6. Docket Numbers or Other Designation. If applicable, list the docket numbers or other administrative designation of the matters in which the person covered by this Schedule B assists you.