88R5612 MPF-D     By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2330       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authorization and reporting of expenditures for   lobbying activities by certain political subdivisions and other   public entities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended   by adding Section 140.014 to read as follows:          Sec. 140.014.  EXPENDITURES FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES. (a)   This section applies only to a:                (1)  political subdivision that imposes a tax;                (2)  political subdivision or special district that has   the authority to issue bonds, including revenue bonds;                (3)  regional mobility authority;                (4)  transit authority;                (5)  regional tollway authority;                (6)  special purpose district;                (7)  public institution of higher education;                (8)  community college district;                (9)  publicly owned utility; and                (10)  river authority.          (b)  A political subdivision or other entity to which this   section applies may spend money to directly or indirectly influence   or attempt to influence the outcome of legislation pending before   the legislature only if the expenditure is:                (1)  authorized by a majority vote of the governing   body of the political subdivision or entity in an open meeting of   the governing body; and                (2)  voted on by the governing body as a stand-alone   item on the agenda at the meeting.          (c)  A political subdivision or other entity to which this   section applies shall report to the Texas Ethics Commission and   publish on the political subdivision's or entity's Internet   website:                (1)  the amount of money authorized under Subsection   (b) for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing or   attempting to influence the outcome of legislation pending before   the legislature;                (2)  the name of each person required to register under   Chapter 305, Government Code, that is retained or employed by or on   behalf of the political subdivision or entity for the purpose   described by Subdivision (1); and                (3)  an electronic copy of each contract for services   for the purpose described by Subdivision (1) that is entered into by   the political subdivision or entity, or by a person on behalf of the   political subdivision or entity, with each person listed under   Subdivision (2).          (d)  In addition to the requirements of Subsection (c), a   political subdivision or other entity to which this section applies   shall report to the Texas Ethics Commission and publish on the   political subdivision's or entity's Internet website the amount of   public money spent for membership fees and dues of any nonprofit   state association or organization of similarly situated political   subdivisions or entities that directly or indirectly influences or   attempts to influence the outcome of legislation pending before the   legislature.          (e)  The Texas Ethics Commission shall make available to the   public an easily searchable database on the commission's Internet   website containing the reports submitted to the commission under   Subsection (c).          (f)  If a political subdivision or other entity to which this   section applies violates this section, an interested party is   entitled to appropriate injunctive relief to prevent further   activity in violation of this section. For purposes of this   subsection, "interested party" means a person who:                (1)  is a taxpayer of the political subdivision or   entity; or                (2)  is served by or receives services from the   political subdivision or entity.          (g)  This section does not prevent an officer or employee of   a political subdivision or other entity to which this section   applies from advocating for or against or otherwise influencing or   attempting to influence the outcome of legislation pending before   the legislature.          SECTION 2.  The Texas Ethics Commission is required to   implement the change in law made by Section 140.014(e), Local   Government Code, as added by this Act, only if the legislature   appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the   legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that   purpose, the Texas Ethics Commission may, but is not required to,   implement that change in law using other appropriations available   for the purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.