Texas Government Lobby Regulations
Texas Gov’t Code §§ 305.001, 305.003(a) defines lobbying as follows:
“Direct communication with members of the legislative or executive branch of state government to influence legislation or administrative action.”
Direct communication does NOT include general newsletters or communications to the public or to an organization, but it does include virtually ALL direct communications between the lobbyist and the legislator, including phone, fax, email, text messages, etc.
Texas Government Lobbyists are Needed
A democratic society must provide a way for citizens to have a voice in politics. Any citizen may run for office. And any citizen is free to communicate with his or her congressman, senators, governors, etc. with a view to making his or her positions and opinions known. Any attempt to communicate your political wishes to an official constitutes lobbying and is absolutely permitted under the United States Constitution.
So even though you sometimes hear people speaking of Government Lobbyists in a negative way, Government lobby activities are protected speech and an inevitable part of a free democratic government.
The Legal Regulations for the Government Lobby in Texas
In order to prevent abuses to the lobby system in Texas, the state provides detailed laws and regulations for lobbyists. These rules apply to “professional lobbyists” which are defined by the Texas Ethics Commission as receiving more than $1000 for lobbying activity from clients in a quarter of a year.
All professional lobbyists must duly register with the state of Texas and submit monthly (or yearly in some circumstances) reports to the state, cataloging their clients, fees, and activities, making these a matter of public record.
The Texas Lobby Group supports the ethical oversight of lobbyists in Texas. Our lobbyists are registered and follow the regulations for lobbyists to the letter of the law. Within these guidelines, we unapologetically serve our clients to the best of our ability.
Texas Government Lobby Registration Fees
It is $75 to register in the state of Texas as an official lobbyist. This registration expires at the end of the calendar year, no matter when the lobbyist officially registered. Monthly reporting is required except in certain circumstances when yearly reporting may be allowed.
Texas Lobby Group: Texas Government Lobby
Texas Lobby Group lobbyists are registered in the state of Texas. The Texas Lobby Group provides lobbying, government consultation, grassroots development, communications, political strategy, and other services for their clients.
Contact the Texas Lobby Group at our website.