Bill > HB1555

This bill creates a select interim committee to conduct a comprehensive review of Texas ethics laws, including campaign finance, lobbying, and personal financial disclosure regulations. The committee will be composed of eight members - four appointed by the lieutenant governor (three senators and one public member) and four appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives (three representatives and one public member), along with the presiding officer of the Texas Ethics Commission. The committee's primary objectives are to evaluate the current ethics laws, assess their effectiveness, and determine what changes might be necessary to better achieve their intended purposes. The committee will have the standard powers of a special or select committee and must convene at the call of its two co-chairs (one from the senate and one from the house). By December 20, 2026, the committee is required to submit a detailed report to the lieutenant governor, house speaker, and governor, including specific recommendations for statutory and rule changes. The members of the committee must be appointed within 60 days of the Act's effective date, with the Texas Legislative Council and Texas Ethics Commission providing necessary staff and resources. The committee will be automatically abolished on December 21, 2026, and the Act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1555