89S10217 CJD-D     By: Spiller H.B. No. 86       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to requirements applicable to certain governmental   entities that engage in lobbying.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 556, Government Code, is amended by   adding Section 556.0056 to read as follows:          Sec. 556.0056.  RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING EXPENDITURES AND   REIMBURSEMENTS BY CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. (a) This section   applies only to a governmental entity authorized to impose a tax.          (b)  A governmental entity's governing body may not spend   public money obtained through taxes the entity imposes to contract   with a person required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305   to communicate directly with one or more members of the legislative   branch to influence legislation pending before the legislature   unless the expenditure is:                (1)  authorized by a majority vote of the governing   body in an open meeting of the governing body; and                (2)  voted on by the governing body at the meeting as a   stand-alone item on the agenda.          (c)  A governmental entity that contracts with a person   required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 in accordance   with this section must publish on the entity's Internet website:                (1)  the amount of money authorized to be spent under   Subsection (b) to contract with the person;                (2)  the name of the person;                (3)  a copy of the contract;                (4)  the amount of money, if any, spent by the entity   for membership fees or dues to a nonprofit state association or   organization of similarly situated entities that contracts with a   person required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305; and                (5)  a copy of any current legislative agenda or   resolution adopted by the entity.          (d)  A person required to register as a lobbyist under   Chapter 305 that contracts with a governmental entity in accordance   with this section may not communicate directly with a member of the   legislative branch on behalf of the entity regarding legislation   pending before the legislature that specifically proposes to amend   Section 26.04(c) or 26.041(c), Tax Code.          (e)  Notwithstanding other law, a governmental entity may   not reimburse a person required to register as a lobbyist under   Chapter 305 for an expenditure the person made for food, beverages,   or entertainment.          (f)  If a governmental entity does not comply with the   requirements of this section, a resident of or person receiving   services from the entity may file with the Texas Ethics Commission a   sworn complaint against the entity in accordance with Section   571.122.          (g)  This section does not prevent an officer or employee of   a governmental entity from:                (1)  providing information to a member of the   legislative branch;                (2)  appearing before a legislative committee; or                (3)  communicating directly with one or more members of   the legislative branch to influence legislation pending before the   legislature.          SECTION 2.  Section 2254.030, Government Code, is repealed.          SECTION 3.  Section 556.0056, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to a payment described by that section made   under a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this   Act. A contract entered into before the effective date of this Act   under which a payment described by that section is made is governed   by the law in effect on the date the contract was entered into, and   the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the   last day of the legislative session.