85R8138 EES-D     By: Neave H.B. No. 2292       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to lobbying by former members of the legislature; creating   a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 572.062 to read as follows:          Sec. 572.062.  FORMER LEGISLATOR: LOBBYING RESTRICTED;   CRIMINAL OFFENSE.  (a)  In this section, "administrative action,"   "communicates directly with," "legislation," "member of the   executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch" have the   meanings assigned by Section 305.002.          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a former member of   the legislature may not, before the second anniversary of the date   the person ceases to be a member, engage in activities that require   registration under Chapter 305.          (c)  Subsection (b) does not apply to a former member who:                (1)  communicates directly with a member of the   legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or   administrative action on behalf of:                      (A)  a nonprofit organization;                      (B)  an individual;                      (C)  a group of low-income individuals; or                      (D)  a group of individuals with disabilities; and                (2)  does not receive compensation other than   reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication   described by Subdivision (1).          (d)  A former member who violates this section commits an   offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.          SECTION 2.  Section 572.062, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to a member of the legislature who ceases to   be a member on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.