82R2977 DRH-D By: Fletcher H.B. No. 1211 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to lobbying by former members of the legislature; creating an offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 572.062 to read as follows: Sec. 572.062. FORMER LEGISLATOR: LOBBYING RESTRICTED; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A former member of the legislature may not, before the last day of the first regular session to convene after the date the person ceases to be a member, engage in activities that require registration under Chapter 305. (b) A former member who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Section 572.062, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a member of the legislature who ceases to be a member on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.