Bill > SB161

This bill requires lobbyists in Texas to complete two mandatory training courses every two years as part of their registration process: a sexual harassment prevention training course and an ethics training course. Specifically, lobbyists must attend courses approved by the Texas Ethics Commission and submit certificates of completion when registering. The courses must be taken within the previous two years, and the certificate must be in a form approved by the commission. The bill amends the Government Code to add these requirements to the existing lobbyist registration process, mandating that starting January 1, 2026, lobbyists must include these training certificates when filing their registration. The Texas Ethics Commission is required to adopt rules for implementing these new training requirements by December 1, 2025, and the bill itself will take effect on September 1, 2025. These new provisions aim to ensure that lobbyists are educated about appropriate professional conduct and ethical standards in their interactions with legislative and executive branch members.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB161