Texas Laws That Go Into Effect In 2019

Lobbyists can’t knowingly make or authorize a political contribution to other candidates or officeholders from the political contributions they received when they were in office.

Following the 85th Texas Legislative Session, several bills were signed and went into effect immediately.

Other bills were provided with future dates, some in 2019. One of those is House Bill (HB) 505, which puts limits on the use of campaign funds by a former officeholder or candidate who became a registered lobbyist.

Lobbyists can’t knowingly make or authorize a political contribution to other candidates or officeholders from the political contributions they received when they were in office.

That part of the law applies during a two-year period that starts with the end date of their last term.

HB 501 will take effect Jan. 8, expanding the financial activity a public officer or candidate must report in a personal financial statement filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

The candidate must report certain business associations if they own, acquired or sold five percent or more of a business and information on written contracts with government entities.

Under certain conditions, they’ll be allowed to amend their personal financial statement.

The bill provides information on certain issuances under the Public Security Procedures Act for members of the legislature who provide bond counsel services.

Senate Bill (SB) 463, which takes effect Sept. 1, prevents school districts from administering the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. The exam was replaced with end of course (EOC) exams in 2007.

The bill develops a procedure under which a public school may award a diploma to eligible students who entered ninth grade before the 2011-2012 school year based on the completion of alternative graduation requirements.

The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in coordination with the Texas Education Agency, to collect certain data relating to the post-graduation pursuits of each student who is awarded a diploma based on the determination of an individual graduation committee and requires the coordinating board to provide a report to the legislature that includes a summary compilation of that data.

Portions of SB 1329 – human trafficking and prostitution – and HB 29 – court caseloads – went into effect in 2017 and 2019.

 This article was originally published by Strategic Partnerships Inc.