Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

In Layman's Terms

SB 13 prohibits cities, counties, school districts, and most other local governments from using taxpayer funds to hire lobbyists or pay dues to organizations that employ lobbyists. The bill still allows local officials and employees to communicate directly with legislators and gives taxpayers the right to sue to enforce the law.

Digest

SB 13 prohibits political subdivisions in Texas, such as cities, counties, and school districts, from using public funds to hire or contract with registered lobbyists or to pay dues to associations that primarily represent political subdivisions and employ registered lobbyists. The bill specifically targets the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying, a long-standing concern among limited government advocates who argue that such lobbying often works against taxpayer interests.

The legislation amends Chapter 556 of the Texas Government Code by adding Section 556.0056, which lays out the restrictions and defines limited exceptions. These exceptions include permitting elected officials and government employees to communicate directly with legislators or testify in hearings, so long as the activities do not trigger lobbyist registration requirements under Chapter 305. The bill also exempts associations composed solely of law enforcement personnel or sheriffs. SB 13 further amends Section 89.002 of the Local Government Code to align county expenditures with the new restrictions.

To ensure enforcement, the bill grants any resident or taxpayer of a political subdivision the right to seek injunctive relief and recover attorney's fees if the law is violated. Any contract provisions conflicting with this law are void as of the effective date, which is 91 days after the adjournment of the legislative session. SB 13 represents a significant shift in state-local relations, seeking to curb the influence of public-sector lobbying at the state level while preserving avenues for direct engagement between local officials and lawmakers.

Author (15)

Mayes Middleton

Paul Bettencourt

Brian Birdwell

Donna Campbell

Brandon Creighton

Peter Flores

Brent Hagenbuch

Bob Hall

Adam Hinojosa

Phil King

Lois Kolkhorst

Tan Parker

Angela Paxton

Charles Schwertner

Kevin Sparks

Co-Author (1)

Joan Huffman

Contact the Author

Sen. Mayes Middleton

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0111

Capitol Office:

EXT E1.706

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), SB 13 is not expected to have any fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The bill imposes no new obligations or expenditures on state agencies and does not require the allocation of state funds. Its regulatory and enforcement mechanisms are designed to operate primarily through citizen-initiated legal action rather than new state administrative oversight or program implementation.

However, the bill could have a notable financial impact on local governments, particularly political subdivisions such as counties, cities, school districts, and special-purpose districts, that currently use public funds for lobbying activities. These entities may need to terminate existing contracts with outside lobbying firms or adjust their membership in associations that employ registered lobbyists, potentially reducing their annual expenditures in these areas. While this may result in cost savings for some local governments, others may face administrative or operational adjustments in how they interact with state policymakers, possibly incurring new costs for internal legislative affairs staff or other forms of engagement.

In short, while there is no projected cost to the state, the bill's financial implications for local governments will vary depending on current spending patterns and how those entities choose to adapt to the new restrictions. The LBB does not quantify these local impacts, suggesting they may differ widely in scope and significance across jurisdictions.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 13 offers a principled and enforceable prohibition on the use of public funds by political subdivisions, such as cities, counties, and school districts, for hiring or contracting with registered lobbyists. It also restricts public funding of dues to nonprofit associations that primarily represent such subdivisions and employ lobbyists. The bill is designed to enhance government transparency, reduce taxpayer exposure to indirect political advocacy, and ensure that public dollars are spent on direct services rather than lobbying for policies that often expand the size and scope of government.

A core strength of SB 13 lies in its restoration of accountability. It permits elected officials and public employees to continue communicating with legislators in their official capacities, but mandates that such engagement occur without the use of third-party lobbyists funded by taxpayers. Moreover, the bill empowers taxpayers and residents to enforce its provisions through civil injunctive relief and fee recovery, making the legislation actionable and responsive to grassroots concerns.

The inclusion of Section 556.0056(b), clarifying that the bill does not apply to associations that solely represent elected sheriffs or individual law enforcement officers, has prompted some debate. However, as the bill's authors have explained, this language is not a carve-out or special exemption, but a clarification. Associations representing individual public officials, such as sheriffs’ organizations, are not political subdivisions under Texas law and thus fall outside the scope of the statutory prohibition. The clarification ensures that privately funded organizations representing individual officeholders may continue to engage in advocacy as they always have, and it prevents confusion that previously hindered support for similar legislation.

Importantly, this clarification does not dilute the bill’s core reform. It does not authorize new exemptions or grant special privileges; it simply affirms the existing legal status of these organizations and ensures that the broader goal of ending taxpayer-funded lobbying is not jeopardized by mistaken opposition. The provision is strategic rather than substantive.

SB 13 remains strongly consistent with core liberty principles. It supports limited government by eliminating taxpayer-funded lobbying efforts that often promote government growth. It defends individual liberty by preventing tax dollars from being used to support political positions that taxpayers may oppose. It reinforces personal responsibility by requiring public officials to engage directly with lawmakers. It supports free enterprise by removing government-funded competition from the lobbying marketplace. And it protects private property rights by ensuring that property tax revenues are used for core public functions, not political self-advocacy by governmental entities.

For these reasons, and with a clear understanding of the bill’s clarifying language, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on SB 13. It strengthens accountability, curtails unnecessary public spending, and advances foundational principles of liberty and responsible governance.

Free Enterprise

While the bill restricts government entities from using public funds for lobbying, it does not limit the ability of private organizations, businesses, or individuals to lobby legislators. In fact, by removing publicly funded competition from the lobbying arena, it levels the playing field and strengthens the integrity of the free marketplace of ideas. The private sector is free to advocate for its interests without having to compete against publicly funded entities that have the advantage of using involuntarily collected taxpayer dollars.

Property Rights

Taxpayer dollars often come from property taxes. When political subdivisions use those funds for lobbying, they do so without the direct consent of the property owners who supplied them. The bill defends private property rights by limiting how those tax revenues can be spent, ensuring that money derived from one’s property is used only for direct government functions, not political manipulation. This reinforces the idea that the use of property should reflect the owner’s consent, not be redirected for state-advancing interests.

Personal Responsibility

The bill promotes personal responsibility in governance by requiring elected officials and public employees to engage directly with legislators, rather than outsourcing that duty to hired lobbyists. This reinforces the concept that public servants are accountable for advocating their constituents’ interests, not third-party contractors. It encourages more direct, transparent communication and places the responsibility for legislative engagement squarely on those entrusted by voters.

Limited Government

The bill most powerfully supports the principle of limited government. It eliminates a structural incentive for government entities to lobby for their own growth—whether in the form of increased regulatory power, higher budgets, or opposition to taxpayer reforms like property tax relief or school choice. By cutting off the flow of taxpayer money to lobbying efforts, the bill restricts the government’s ability to use public funds to expand itself, returning more influence to citizens and elected representatives. While there is language in the bill clarifying that associations of elected sheriffs or individual law enforcement officers are not subject to the prohibition, this provision does not create a loophole. These organizations are not political subdivisions and are not publicly funded in the manner addressed by the bill. Thus, the inclusion of this clause does not dilute the bill’s overall impact on liberty principles.

Individual Liberty

The bill enhances individual liberty by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to lobby for policies that individuals may personally oppose. When political subdivisions spend public funds on lobbyists or membership dues to lobbying associations, they engage in political advocacy using money that was coercively collected from taxpayers. This can violate individual conscience and autonomy. The bill restores respect for individual liberty by ensuring that government entities no longer compel citizens to indirectly fund political speech.

Committee Vote Information

Senate Committee on State Affairs: 10Y/1N
House Committee on State Affairs: No Vote

Related Legislation

View Bill Text and Status