In a late-night vote, the Texas Senate approved a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying—but not before Democrats and a handful of Republicans weakened the legislation.
Senate Bill 19, filed by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston), prohibits political subdivisions from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists.
Banning taxpayer-funded lobbying is a legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas and has broad support among Texans. Recent polling indicates that over 80 percent of voters oppose the practice. Opponents say taxpayer-funded lobbyists are often sent to argue for positions at odds with the citizens paying their salaries.
Originally, SB 19 also barred nonprofit organizations representing cities, counties, and school districts from employing lobbyists.
However, an amendment by State Sen. Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville) removed that restriction, allowing groups like the Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Municipal League, and Texas Association of Counties to continue hiring full-time lobbyists with public funds.
Nichols defended the change, arguing that local officials rely on these organizations to navigate the legislative process.
“We’re not used to people visiting us very often, and so our representation is pretty slow down there,” Nichols said. “When the mayor of one of my towns pulls the city checkbook out without help in some fashion, and having some type of association to go and talk to, he would have no idea what we’re doing down here or how to come down and even testify on a bill.”
Middleton urged lawmakers to reject the amendment, warning it would preserve the very practice the bill aimed to end.
“What this would do is allow registered lobbyists to continue using taxpayer dollars to lobby against us,” Middleton said.
Despite his opposition, seven Republicans—State Sens. Donna Campbell (Bulverde), Kelly Hancock (North Richland Hills), Joan Huffman (Houston), Lois Kolkhorst (Brenham), Charles Perry (Lubbock), Charles Schwertner (Georgetown), and Nichols—joined Democrats in approving the amendment.
With the change adopted, Nichols then voted for the final bill, which passed 20-11 along party lines.
The legislation now moves to the Texas House, where similar efforts have historically faced resistance. While the Senate has passed taxpayer-funded lobbying bans multiple times, the last attempt to reach the House floor in 2019 was voted down. Middleton, then a House member, carried that legislation as well.
