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Bill > HB167

TX HB167

TX HB167
Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

summary

Introduced
08/15/2025
In Committee
08/18/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
09/03/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature 2nd Special Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

AI Summary

This bill restricts how political subdivisions (like counties) can use public funds for lobbying activities. Specifically, political subdivisions are prohibited from spending public money to hire registered lobbyists to lobby state legislators or to pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent political subdivisions and hire such lobbyists. However, the bill allows several exceptions, including: allowing political subdivision officers and employees to provide information to legislators, appear before legislative committees, advocate for or against legislation, and be reimbursed for travel expenses related to these activities. Nonprofit associations representing political subdivisions can still perform limited legislative services like bill tracking, providing information, and testifying before the legislature. If a political subdivision violates these restrictions, taxpayers or residents can seek injunctive relief and potentially recover their legal fees. The bill also modifies existing law regarding county spending on state associations, further limiting how public funds can be used to support organizations that might engage in legislative activities. The new restrictions will apply to expenditures and payments made on or after the bill's effective date, which will be 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (72)

Briscoe Cain (R)*,  Terri Leo-Wilson (R)*,  John McQueeney (R)*,  Carl Tepper (R)*,  Ellen Troxclair (R)*,  Daniel Alders (R),  Trent Ashby (R),  Cecil Bell (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Greg Bonnen (R),  Brad Buckley (R),  Ben Bumgarner (R),  Giovanni Capriglione (R),  David Cook (R),  Tom Craddick (R),  Charles Cunningham (R),  Pat Curry (R),  Jay Dean (R),  Mano DeAyala (R),  Mark Dorazio (R),  Paul Dyson (R),  James Frank (R),  Gary Gates (R),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Ryan Guillen (R),  Sam Harless (R),  Cody Harris (R),  Caroline Harris Davila (R),  Brian Harrison (R),  Richard Hayes (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Hillary Hickland (R),  Janis Holt (R),  Andy Hopper (R),  Lacey Hull (R),  Todd Hunter (R),  Carrie Isaac (R),  Helen Kerwin (R),  Stan Kitzman (R),  Marc LaHood (R),  Brooks Landgraf (R),  Jeff Leach (R),  Mitch Little (R),  Janie Lopez (R),  David Lowe (R),  J.M. Lozano (R),  Shelley Luther (R),  Will Metcalf (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Brent Money (R),  Matt Morgan (R),  Candy Noble (R),  Mike Olcott (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Angelia Orr (R),  Jared Patterson (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Katrina Pierson (R),  Keresa Richardson (R),  Nate Schatzline (R),  Matt Shaheen (R),  Joanne Shofner (R),  Shelby Slawson (R),  David Spiller (R),  Valoree Swanson (R),  Tony Tinderholt (R),  Steve Toth (R),  Cody Vasut (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Wesley Virdell (R),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R), 

Last Action

Referred to State Affairs (on 08/18/2025)
(3 Companion Bills)

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