Texas House Bill HB3445

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/28/09
• Voted on by House: 5/17/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/23/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/26/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/31/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to requirements governing registration and authorized activities of certain lobbyists.

Impact

The implications of HB3445 are significant for the legislative landscape in Texas, particularly concerning transparency and accountability in lobbying practices. By establishing clear exceptions, the bill aims to delineate between minimal lobbying efforts and activities that warrant regulatory oversight. This could lead to a reduction in the number of individuals and organizations registered as lobbyists, impacting the public’s ability to track influence in legislative processes. However, it also raises concerns about the potential for increased unregulated lobbying activities, as some advocates fear that the changes could create loopholes.

Summary

House Bill 3445 aims to modify the registration requirements and authorized activities of lobbyists within the state of Texas. The bill seeks to clarify the conditions under which individuals and entities are required to register as lobbyists, introducing specific exceptions based on the type and extent of lobbying activities conducted. One notable provision is the introduction of a threshold, where individuals spending no more than five percent of their compensated time on lobbying activities may not be required to register. This change is designed to reduce the regulatory burden on those who engage in minimal lobbying efforts.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB3445 has highlighted tensions between the need for transparency in lobbying and the desire to ease regulatory burdens on individuals and organizations. Critics argue that the bill may dilute efforts to monitor lobbying activities effectively, pointing out that reducing the number of registrants could obscure the influence of special interests on legislation. Supporters, on the other hand, contend that the new regulations encourage honest representation without penalizing individuals who engage in limited lobbying. This contention reflects broader concerns about the balance between oversight and professional engagement in state governance.