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HB 115TEXASSession 892State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Texas Prohibits Political Subdivisions From Using Public Funds for Hired Lobbyists

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

Last action · August 18, 2025: Referred to State AffairsSponsors: Leo Wilson and 56 others

Companion · SB 13same policy, Senate version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Texas s are prohibited from spending public money to hire registered lobbyists or to pay dues to nonprofit associations that employ registered lobbyists, effective 91 days after the legislative session ends. The restriction includes specific exemptions for sheriff associations, employee bill tracking, and individual official testimony, while granting local taxpayers the right to seek and attorney's fees.

Why it matters

Local governments and certain nonprofit groups face new restrictions on how they spend tax dollars to influence state legislation, shifting the legal risk and financial accountability directly onto local entities through taxpayer-initiated lawsuits.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Political subdivisions

Political subdivisions are barred from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay dues to lobbying nonprofit associations, and face potential taxpayer lawsuits for violations.

Directly affected

Taxpayers and residents of political subdivisions

Taxpayers and residents gain the legal right to sue for injunctive relief to stop prohibited lobbying expenditures and recover attorney's fees if successful.

Directly affected

Nonprofit associations representing political subdivisions

Associations that employ registered lobbyists may lose membership dues and fee payments from political subdivisions unless they alter their staffing or representation.

Directly affected

Elected sheriffs and law enforcement officers

Associations that solely represent sheriffs or individual law enforcement officers are explicitly exempt from the spending restrictions.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can local government employees still talk to state legislators?

Yes. Officers and employees of s may still provide information, testify before legislative committees, and advocate for or against legislation, provided their actions do not require them to register as lobbyists.

What happens if a local government violates the lobbying restriction?

A taxpayer or resident of the can file an action for to stop the payments and is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs if they prevail.

Are sheriff and law enforcement associations affected by this ban?

No. Associations or organizations that solely represent elected sheriffs or individual law enforcement officers are explicitly exempt from the restriction.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Aug 18, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to State Affairs
Aug 18, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time
Aug 15, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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