Texas House Bill HB2941

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 2/18/25

Caption

Relating to restrictions on certain contributions and lobbyist compensation by persons appointed to public office by the governor; creating a criminal offense.

Impact

If passed, HB 2941 would amend Section 601 of the Government Code by adding new regulations that disqualify individuals from gubernatorial appointments if they contributed over $2,500 to the governor or associated committees in the year preceding their appointment. Furthermore, serving appointees would be restricted from making similar contributions during their tenure. This legislative change aims to bolster public trust in state governance by removing perceived or real financial influences over public officials.

Summary

House Bill 2941 establishes restrictions on political contributions and lobbyist compensation for individuals appointed to public office by the governor of Texas. The bill aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest by limiting the financial contributions that appointees and individuals related to them can make to the governor or to committees supporting the governor. This is especially relevant as it addresses the integrity of public office appointments and seeks to ensure that individuals in such positions are independent from financial influences tied to their appointing authority.

Contention

The proposed legislation has sparked discussions regarding its potential effectiveness and implications. Supporters argue that it is a necessary measure to ensure transparency and accountability in government, while critics may argue that it could inadvertently restrict the ability of qualified and capable individuals from seeking gubernatorial appointments due to past contributions. Additionally, there are concerns about whether the $2,500 threshold is appropriate and how it would affect political engagement among those who might want to contribute to campaigns but also serve in government roles.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 601. Election And Office Holding
  • Section: New Section