The bill amends the Government Code by adding Section 556.0056, which restricts political subdivisions from using public funds for lobbying activities. Specifically, it prohibits these subdivisions from hiring individuals who must register as lobbyists to lobby members of the legislature or from paying nonprofit state associations that represent political subdivisions and hire lobbyists. If a political subdivision violates this provision, taxpayers or residents can seek injunctive relief to stop the prohibited activities and recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs if they prevail in court.

Additionally, the bill modifies 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 bill ensures that any contracts or expenditures made in violation of these new restrictions are void and establishes that the new regulations apply only to expenditures made after the effective date of the Act. The Act is set to take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

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