SB 29 is a simple reform measure that would prohibit any political subdivision that receives money from the state of Texas from paying for lobbyists. It also blocks payments to people closely connected to lobbyists through business or by relation. Further, state contractors are also banned from using state dollars to pay for lobbying.
Local Government
When Government Lobbies Itself: Why Texas Should Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
Texas local governments use taxpayer dollars to hire lobbyists to influence state legislation—creating conflicts of interest, distorting democratic accountability, and undermining the interests of Texas taxpayers. Key points: Taxpayer-funded lobbying expenditures more than doubled from the 85th to the 89th Legislature, now reaching as high as $111.5 million. Taxpayer-funded lobbyists consistently opposed legislation involving property...
April 6, 2026