As the Texas Legislature continues its second special session, legislation aimed at banning taxpayer-funded lobbying has once again been referred to the House State Affairs Committee, prompting questions about whether the House will act.
The push to prohibit local governments from using public funds to hire lobbyists has long been a legislative priority for the Republican Party of Texas and a recurring item on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda. Abbott included the issue on the call for this special session following the House’s failure to act earlier this year.
During the regular session, the Senate passed a similar proposal, but it died in the House when State Affairs Committee Chairman Ken King (R-Canadian) refused to grant the bill a hearing.
Despite this, King was endorsed by Abbott earlier this week.
His committee is once again where the legislation has been sent. Senate Bill 13 by State Sen. Mayes Middleton passed the Senate earlier this week and was promptly referred to State Affairs in the House.
A dozen other similar bills have also been filed in the House and referred to the same committee. None have been given low bill numbers, which typically signify a high priority from the speaker’s office.
According to recent estimates, local governments in Texas are expected to spend $94.5 million in 2025 to fund lobbyists hired by cities, counties, school districts, and special purpose districts.
That figure, however, only captures part of the spending. It does not include salaries of government employees whose primary role is to lobby the Legislature, nor the activities of pro-government associations like the Texas Association of Counties or the Texas Association of School Boards, which also receive public funds and contract with registered lobbyists.
Critics argue the practice allows taxpayer money to be used to lobby against the very citizens who fund it—often opposing conservative legislative priorities such as property tax reform, school choice, and election integrity.
With taxpayer-funded lobbying once again on the table and the Senate doing its part, attention now shifts to the House and whether its leadership will allow the legislation to move forward this time.
