S.B. No. 239 aims to restrict the use of public funds by political subdivisions for lobbying activities. The bill introduces a new section, 556.0056, to the Government Code, which prohibits political subdivisions from spending public funds to hire registered lobbyists for lobbying members of the legislature or to pay nonprofit organizations that primarily represent political subdivisions and hire lobbyists. Additionally, the bill allows taxpayers or residents of a political subdivision to seek injunctive relief if such prohibited activities occur, and those who prevail in such actions can recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

The bill also amends existing provisions in the Local Government Code regarding the spending of county funds for membership in nonprofit state associations of counties. It clarifies that counties may only spend money for such memberships if they comply with the new restrictions outlined in Section 556.0056. The amendments ensure that any contracts or expenditures made in violation of these new provisions will be void, and the law will apply only to expenditures made on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 81.026, Local Government Code 89.002 (Local Government Code 81, Local Government Code 89)