Bill Caption

Relating to requirements governing registration and authorized activities of certain lobbyists; expanding the applicability of an occupational registration.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

This legislation amends the Government Code to remove the exemption requirement to register as a lobbyist solely because the person receives or is entitled to receive compensation or reimbursement to engage in certain communication. This bill also would strike "a sales commission payable to an employee of a vendor of a product or service is not considered compensation contingent on the outcome of administrative action if the amount of the state agency purchasing decision does not exceed 10 million dollars." from not being exempt to registering as a lobbyist. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This legislation would remove the exemption from being required to register for a lobbyist, if an individual is entitled to receive reimbursement or compensation for communicating with legislators other than "an employee of a vendor of a product or service to a member of the executive branch concerning state agency purchasing decisions involving a product, service, or service provider or negotiations regarding such decisions when the compensation for the communication is not totally or partially contingent on the outcome of any administrative action."

We believe this measure would increase transparency and we supper HB 3571 on the basis of our personal responsibility principle.