Texas House Bill HB2410

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to exceptions to the requirements that certain persons register under the lobby law.

Impact

If enacted, HB2410 could lead to fewer individuals and organizations needing to register as lobbyists, which may greatly simplify their compliance obligations related to lobbying activities. Proponents of the bill argue that this would lessen the regulatory burden on small organizations and individuals who might have been previously considered lobbyists due to their incidental communications with government officials. Conversely, there may be concerns about the bill potentially opening avenues for increased influence over legislation without the necessary transparency that registration provides.

Summary

House Bill 2410 aims to modify the existing lobby registration requirements in the Texas Government Code. The bill proposes exceptions to the conditions under which certain individuals and entities are required to register as lobbyists, thus potentially streamlining the process for those who engage in lobbying activities at a limited capacity. Specifically, the bill allows individuals who spend no more than five percent of their compensated time influencing legislation or administrative action to be exempt from registration. This change seeks to reduce bureaucratic barriers for those whose lobbying efforts are minimal and may not reflect significant political engagement.

Contention

Critics of HB2410 may argue that it could weaken the oversight of lobbying efforts, as fewer participants would be subject to registration and the accompanying regulations meant to ensure transparency in legislative processes. Opponents may voice concerns that the exceptions created by the bill could lead to increased undisclosed lobbying activities, thereby undermining the integrity of the legislative process. The balance between easing the regulatory load and ensuring adequate oversight and transparency is likely to be a significant point of contention among lawmakers considering this bill.