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TX HB119

Bill

Status

Passed

6/20/2025

Primary Sponsor

Stan Gerdes

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

89th Legislature Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires lobbyist registration for anyone who directly communicates with Texas legislative or executive branch members to influence legislation or administrative action on behalf of a foreign adversary, foreign adversary client, or foreign adversary political party, regardless of expenditure thresholds

  • Defines "foreign adversary" broadly to include countries designated by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under 15 C.F.R. Section 791.4, plus agencies, entities, and persons controlled by, owned by, organized under the laws of, or headquartered in those countries

  • Prohibits registered lobbyists acting on behalf of foreign adversaries from receiving any compensation—including direct, indirect, intangible, or in-kind—for their lobbying activities

  • Authorizes the Texas Attorney General to seek injunctive relief and civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation plus the full amount of any compensation received in violation of the law, along with recovery of litigation costs

  • Takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to conduct and compensation occurring on or after that date

Legislative Description

Relating to the registration as a lobbyist of persons who engage in certain lobbying activities on behalf of a foreign adversary and to prohibitions on the receipt of compensation related to those lobbying activities; providing a civil penalty.

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Last Action

Effective on 9/1/25

6/20/2025

Committee Referrals

State Affairs5/1/2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs3/14/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available