HB 7043 Summary: State Ethics Reform

• Repeals section 11.061 regarding state employee lobbyists and creates new ethics restrictions on employment solicitations for public officers, agency employees, statewide elected officers, and legislators.

• Prohibits public officers and agency employees from soliciting prohibited employment or contractual relationships with entities subject to their agency's regulation; requires disclosure of such solicitations to agency heads or the Commission on Ethics.

• Prohibits statewide elected officers and legislators from soliciting employment offers or investment advice arising from official activities, with exceptions for the final 180 days of office if not seeking reelection or employment in their former profession.

• Expands restrictions on covered officers and reporting employees hired after July 1, 2021, preventing solicitation or negotiation with restricted employers except within 90 days before term expiration, retirement, or after receiving termination notice (180+ days before separation).

• Requires electronic lobbyist registration with the Commission on Ethics, revises compensation reporting requirements by income categories, and authorizes the commission to dismiss complaints from random audits if public interest is not served.