TX HB5061

Prohibits state agency contractors, subcontractors, and vendors from engaging in surveillance of state legislators, legislative staff, their family members, state agency employees, or individuals raising concerns about state agency operations

Bans intimidation, coercion, extortion, undue influence, or retaliation against protected individuals, as well as using private or confidential information to manipulate state contracting decisions

Assigns oversight and enforcement to the State Auditor's Office, with Texas Rangers investigating potential criminal offenses; complaints must be investigated within 90 days

First violations trigger immediate contract termination, up to $500,000 in administrative penalties ($2 million for undue influence violations), and a 10-15 year bar from state contracts; second violations result in permanent debarment and up to $1-2 million in penalties

Creates whistleblower protections allowing employees to sue for retaliation, recover actual damages, lost wages, exemplary damages, attorney's fees, and reinstatement; a rebuttable presumption of retaliation applies if termination occurs within 120 days of reporting