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TexasHB 11989th Legislature Regular SessionHouse

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.

Sponsored By: Greg Bonnen, Giovanni Capriglione, Stan Gerdes, Bryan Hughes (Republican), Will Metcalf, Ellen Troxclair

Signed by Governor

AliensCivil Remedies & LiabilitiesEthicsIntergovernmental RelationsINTERNATIONAL RELATIONSLOBBYISTS & LOBBYING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Registration and pay bans for foreign-adversary lobbyists

Beginning September 1, 2025, people lobbying Texas lawmakers or executive officials for covered foreign adversaries must register with the Texas Ethics Commission. Registration applies regardless of spending or pay when direct communication seeks to influence legislation or government action. Covered parties include federally designated foreign adversaries, related entities, certain officials and their immediate families, and foreign-adversary political parties. These lobbyists cannot accept or agree to accept direct or indirect pay from the covered party they represent, including noncash benefits. The Texas attorney general can seek court orders to stop or prevent violations and recover reasonable case costs. Civil penalties cannot exceed $10,000 per violation and cannot be less than the compensation received in violation. The changes apply only to registration-triggering conduct or compensation received on or after September 1, 2025; earlier activity remains under prior law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Greg Bonnen

    House

  • Giovanni Capriglione

    House

  • Stan Gerdes

    House

  • Bryan Hughes

    Republican • Senate

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Ellen Troxclair

    House

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Barry

    House

  • Benjamin Bumgarner

    House

  • David Cook

    House

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Cody Harris

    House

  • Caroline Harris Davila

    House

  • Richard Hayes

    House

  • Cole Hefner

    House

  • Hillary Hickland

    House

  • Janis Holt

    House

  • Carrie Isaac

    House

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Janie Lopez

    House

  • John McQueeney

    House

  • Angelia Orr

    House

  • Katrina Pierson

    House

  • Keresa Richardson

    House

  • Terry M. Wilson

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 387 • No: 49

Senate vote • 6/1/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 6/1/2025

Record vote

Yes: 101 • No: 36

Senate vote • 5/28/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/28/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 132 • No: 8

House vote • 4/29/2025

Record vote

Yes: 134 • No: 5

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: State Affairs

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    6/2/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    6/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    6/2/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    6/2/2025House

  7. Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported

    6/1/2025House

  8. Record vote

    6/1/2025Senate

  9. Senate adopts conference committee report

    6/1/2025Senate

  10. House adopts conf. comm. report-reported

    6/1/2025Senate

  11. Record vote (RV#4135)

    6/1/2025House

  12. House adopts conference committee report

    6/1/2025House

  13. Senate appoints conferees-reported

    5/31/2025House

  14. Senate grants request for conf comm-reported

    5/31/2025House

  15. Conference committee report filed

    5/31/2025Senate

  16. Co-sponsor authorized

    5/31/2025Senate

  17. Conf. Comm. Report distributed

    5/30/2025House

  18. Senate appoints conferees

    5/30/2025Senate

  19. Senate grants request for conference comm.

    5/30/2025Senate

  20. House appoints conferees-reported

    5/30/2025Senate

  21. House requests conference committee-reported

    5/30/2025Senate

  22. House refuses to concur-reported

    5/30/2025Senate

  23. House appoints conferees

    5/30/2025House

  24. House requests conference committee

    5/30/2025House

  25. House refuses to concur in Senate amendments

    5/30/2025House

Bill Text

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