Texas legislation · 89th Legislature 2nd Special Session
Texas SB13: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.
Status: Passed one chamber, August 19, 2025
What the bill says
An act relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.
From the engrossed text, August 19, 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
- Mayes Middleton (R) · primary sponsor
- Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007)
- Brian Birdwell (R, SD-022)
- Donna Campbell (R, SD-025)
- Charles Creighton (R, SD-004)
- Maria Flores (D, HD-051)
- Brent Hagenbuch (R, SD-030)
- Bob Hall (R, SD-002)
- Adam Hinojosa (R, SD-027)
- Ken King (R, HD-088)
- Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018)
- Tan Parker (R)
Latest actions
- : Referred to State Affairs
- : Read first time
- : Received from the Senate
- : Reported engrossed
- : Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- : Record vote
- : Passed
- : Read 3rd time
- : Laid before the Senate
- : Passed to engrossment
Votes
- State Affairs Committee Vote (Out of committee): 10 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Read 3rd time (August 19, 2025): 18 yea, 11 nay, passed
- Rules suspended-Regular order of business (August 18, 2025): 18 yea, 11 nay, passed
- Read 2nd time (August 18, 2025): 18 yea, 11 nay, passed
- Amendment vote (6) (August 18, 2025): 11 yea, 19 nay, failed
- Amendment vote (5) (August 18, 2025): 11 yea, 19 nay, failed
Subjects: Charitable & Nonprofit Organizations, Political Subdivisions, County Government--Finance, Ethics, Legislature, LOBBYISTS & LOBBYING, ATTORNEY'S FEES, County Government--Employees/Officers
Common questions
- What is SB13?
- SB13 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 2nd Special Session): Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.
- What does SB13 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 SB13?
- Passed one chamber as of August 19, 2025. Latest action: Referred to State Affairs (August 20, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB13?
- Mayes Middleton (R), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB13?
- On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=SB00013
Source: official Texas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.