lobbyists must take harassment and ethics training

The text as introduced · 596 words

89R2723 CJD-D

By: Menéndez, et al.
S.B. No. 161

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the completion of sexual harassment prevention training

and ethics training to register as a lobbyist.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 305.005(f), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(f) The registration must be written and verified and must

contain:

(1) the registrant's full name and address;

(2) the registrant's normal business, business phone

number, and business address;

(3) the full name and address of each person:

(A) who reimburses, retains, or employs the

registrant to communicate directly with a member of the legislative

or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative

action; and

(B) on whose behalf the registrant has

communicated directly with a member of the legislative or executive

branch to influence legislation or administrative action;

(4) the subject matter of the legislation or of the

administrative action that is the subject of the registrant's

direct communication with a member of the legislative or executive

branch and, if applicable, the docket number or other

administrative designation of the administrative action;

(5) for each person employed or retained by the

registrant for the purpose of assisting in direct communication

with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence

legislation or administrative action:

(A) the full name, business address, and

occupation of the person; and

(B) the subject matter of the legislation or of

the administrative action to which the person's activities

reportable under this section were related and, if applicable, the

docket number or other administrative designation of the

administrative action; [ and ]

(6) the amount of compensation or reimbursement paid

by each person who reimburses, retains, or employs the registrant

for the purpose of communicating directly with a member of the

legislative or executive branch or on whose behalf the registrant

communicates directly with a member of the legislative or executive

branch ;

(7) a certificate evidencing the registrant's

completion of a sexual harassment prevention training course in the

previous two years, as required by Section 305.0052; and

(8) a certificate evidencing the registrant's

completion of an ethics training course in the previous two years,

as required by Section 305.0053 .

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 305, Government Code, is

amended by adding Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053 to read as

follows:

Sec. 305.0052. SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING. (a)

Each individual required to register under this chapter shall every

two years:

(1) attend a sexual harassment prevention training

course approved by the commission; and

(2) submit to the commission a certificate evidencing

completion of the course.

(b) The certificate of completion must be in a form approved

by the commission.

(c) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to

implement this section.

Sec. 305.0053. ETHICS TRAINING. (a) Each individual

required to register under this chapter shall every two years:

(1) attend an ethics training course approved by the

commission; and

(2) submit to the commission a certificate evidencing

completion of the course.

(b) The certificate of completion must be in a form approved

by the commission.

(c) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to

implement this section.

SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas Ethics

Commission shall adopt rules as required by Sections 305.0052 and

305.0053, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. Section 305.005, Government Code, as amended by

this Act, applies only to a registration required to be filed under

that section on or after January 1, 2026.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.