SB 19 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying and certain other activities.

SB 19 would restrict political subdivisions (such as cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits that primarily represent political subdivisions and employ registered lobbyists. The bill permits exceptions for activities like providing legislative information, testifying, or conducting bill analysis without requiring lobbyist registration. Taxpayers could also seek court orders to halt prohibited spending and recover related costs. This legislation aims to limit public funding for lobbying efforts while preserving direct communication with lawmakers.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Mar 25, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Mar 19, 2025

MODERATE

SB 19 was significantly restructured from its original version, with major changes to how political subdivisions can use public funds for lobbying activities. The bill now includes clearer restrictions on hiring lobbyists and paying nonprofit associations, while adding specific exemptions for certain activities like appearing before legislative committees. The bill also establishes new effective dates and enforcement mechanisms for taxpayers seeking injunctive relief.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include more detailed restrictions on lobbying activities and added new exemptions for specific scenarios, particularly for sheriff associations and certain legislative communications that don't require lobbyist registration.

REQUIREMENT

Restrictions on using public funds for lobbying were reorganized and clarified, with specific language added about hiring or contracting with registered lobbyists.

EXEMPTIONS

New exemption added for associations that solely represent elected sheriffs, which was not present in the original version.

ELIGIBILITY

The criteria for when political subdivisions can reimburse travel expenses for lobbying-related activities was modified to be more specific about what activities are covered.

TIMELINE

A new Section 5 was added establishing September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the Act.

ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement provisions for taxpayer injunctive relief were reorganized and clarified to ensure consistency across different sections of the bill.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

20–10

Passed

Total votes 30

Mar 19, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 25, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Amended

Amendment withdrawn

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Amended

Amendment fails of adoption

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

10 primary · 1 co-sponsor