HB2941 - Relating to restrictions on certain contributions and lobbyist compensation by persons appointed to public office by the governor; creating a criminal offense.

  89R11038 CJD-D     By: Meza H.B. No. 2941       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to restrictions on certain contributions and lobbyist   compensation by persons appointed to public office by the governor;   creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 601, Government Code, is amended by   adding Section 601.010 to read as follows:           Sec.   601.010.     CERTAIN DONORS INELIGIBLE FOR GUBERNATORIAL   APPOINTMENTS; CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOBBYIST COMPENSATION BY   GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES RESTRICTED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) In   this section:                 (1)     "Communicates directly with," "matter," "member   of the executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch"   have the meanings assigned by Section 305.002.                 (2)     "Political contribution" and "specific-purpose   committee" have the meanings assigned by Section 251.001, Election   Code.           (b)     An individual is ineligible to serve as an officer   appointed by the governor if during the year preceding the date of   appointment the individual made political contributions that in the   aggregate exceeded $2,500 to:                 (1)  the governor; or                 (2)     a specific-purpose committee supporting the   governor as a candidate or assisting the governor as an   officeholder.           (c)     An individual serving as an officer appointed by the   governor may not during any single year in which the individual   serves in that office make political contributions that in the   aggregate exceed $2,500 to the governor or a specific-purpose   committee supporting the governor as a candidate or assisting the   governor as an officeholder. An individual who violates this   subsection is liable in damages to this state in the amount of   triple the amount of contributions made in a single year that exceed   the limit prescribed by this subsection.           (d)     For purposes of Subsections (b) and (c), a political   contribution made by the spouse or dependent child of an individual   or a political contribution from an organization made in the   individual's name and with the individual's consent is considered   to be a contribution made by the individual.           (e)     Before taking office, an individual appointed by the   governor must sign an attestation that during the year preceding   the appointment the individual, the individual's spouse or   dependent child, or an organization in the individual's name and   with the individual's consent did not make political contributions   exceeding $2,500 to the governor or a specific-purpose committee   supporting the governor as a candidate or assisting the governor as   an officeholder.           (f)     Before taking office, an individual appointed by the   governor must sign an attestation that the individual or a business   entity acting at the direction of the individual will not   compensate a person required to register as a lobbyist under   Chapter 305 for communicating directly with a member of the   legislative or executive branch on a matter affecting the   individual's state agency and will comply with any political   contribution limits under Subsection (b). An individual appointed   by the governor who violates an attestation under this subsection,   a business entity acting at the direction of the individual that   violates an attestation under this subsection, or a person required   to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 who accepts   compensation made in violation of an attestation under this   subsection commits an offense. An offense under this subsection is   a Class A misdemeanor.          SECTION 2.  Section 601.010, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to an appointment made on or after the   effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.