Texas HB173: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

What the bill says

An act relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

From the introduced text, July 22, 2025:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 556, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 556.0056 to read as follows: [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 556.0056.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: RESTRICTION ON USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY ] [ADDED: POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES. (a) ][ADDED: ][ADDED: A political ] [ADDED: subdivision may not spend public funds:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: to hire or contract with an individual required to ] [ADDED: register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 for the purpose of lobbying ] [ or] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: to pay a nonprofit association or organization ] [ADDED: that:] [ ] [ADDED: and] [ADDED: (B)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: hires or contracts with an individual ] [ADDED: required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305.] [ADDED: (b)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: Subsection (a) does not apply to an association or ] [ADDED: organization that solely represents elected sheriffs or individual ] [ADDED: law enforcement officers.] [ADDED: (c) Subsection (a) does not prohibit:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: an officer or employee of a political subdivision ] [ADDED: from providing information for a member of the legislature or ] [] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: an elected officer of a …

Sponsors

• Ellen Troxclair (R, HD-019) · primary sponsor
• Briscoe Cain (R, HD-128)
• Terri Leo-Wilson (R, HD-023)
• Carl Tepper (R, HD-084)
• Daniel Alders (R, HD-006)
• Ben Bumgarner (R, HD-063)
• Mark Dorazio (R, HD-122)
• James Frank (R, HD-069)
• Caroline Harris Davila (R, HD-052)
• Richard Hayes (R, HD-057)
• Hillary Hickland (R, HD-055)
• Janis Holt (R, HD-018)

Latest actions

1. July 22, 2025: Filed

Common questions

What is HB173?

HB173 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 1st Special Session): Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

What does HB173 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

What is the status of HB173?

Introduced as of July 22, 2025. Latest action: Filed (July 22, 2025).

Who sponsored HB173?

Ellen Troxclair (R, HD-019), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB173?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB00173