House Bill No. 755 introduces new regulations for certain public entities in Texas that engage in lobbying activities. It adds Section 556.0056 to the Government Code, which outlines specific restrictions on lobbying expenditures and reimbursements. The bill applies to various public entities, including political subdivisions that impose taxes, regional mobility authorities, public institutions of higher education, and others. Under this new section, a public entity's governing body is prohibited from spending public funds to contract with lobbyists unless the expenditure is authorized by a majority vote in an open meeting and is listed as a stand-alone agenda item. Additionally, public entities must publish details about the contract and any related expenditures on their websites.

The bill also prohibits public entities from reimbursing lobbyists for expenses related to food, beverages, or entertainment. If a public entity fails to comply with these requirements, residents or service recipients can file a sworn complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission. Furthermore, the bill repeals Section 2254.030 of the Government Code and clarifies that the new regulations apply only to contracts entered into after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 2254.030 (Government Code 2254)