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HB 5245

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cherie Cruz and 7 co-sponsors

HB 5245 creates a two-year cooling-off for appointed state officers, banning them from paid work with entities they contracted with or paid while in office (misdemeanor).

03/20/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5245

Summary — HB 5245: "State Officers Public Trust Guarantee Act"

Purpose

HB 5245 would create a two-year post-employment moratorium on certain state officers accepting paid work with entities they dealt with while in office. The stated intent is to limit conflicts of interest and reduce a “revolving door” between state government and outside contractors.

Key provisions

  • Official short title: "state officers public trust guarantee act."
  • Effective date: Beginning January 1, 2026.
  • Cooling-off period: A "state officer," for not less than 2 years after leaving public office, shall not accept employment with or provide services for compensation for a person if, while performing official duties, the officer either:
    • entered into a contract with that person (including via request for proposal), or
    • issued payment to that person for services procured by the department to which the officer was appointed.
  • Criminal penalty: Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
  • Definitions:
    • "Person" covers individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, associations, governmental entities, or other legal entities.
    • "State officer" is defined as an individual appointed by the governor or another executive department official.

Who would be affected

  • Covered: Appointed state officers (those appointed by the governor or other executive department officials), during the two-year period after leaving office.
  • Counterparties: Any entity that entered into a contract with or received payment from the officer’s department while the officer performed official duties — including private companies, nonprofits, and governmental entities.
  • Not explicitly covered: The bill’s definition appears to exclude elected officials and may not reach certain career civil servants unless they are "appointed" as defined.

Enforcement and penalties

  • The bill imposes a criminal misdemeanor penalty (up to 90 days incarceration and/or up to $1,000 fine). The text does not create a separate civil enforcement mechanism, administrative remedy, or agency-based sanction process.

Legislative status / timeline

  • Introduced: March 14, 2025 (filed); introduced by Rep. Luke Meerman (reading and referral dates recorded April–November 2025).
  • Referred to: Committee on Government Operations (as of Nov 6, 2025). Electronic reproduction date: Nov 6, 2025.
  • Proposed effective date in statute: January 1, 2026, if enacted.

Practical considerations

  • Impact: Would restrict post-government employment opportunities for appointed officials who contracted with or paid particular vendors, potentially reducing conflicts of interest but also limiting recruitment of former officials by private or public contractors.
  • Ambiguities: The bill hinges on the meaning of phrases like “entered into a contract” and the scope of “issued payment,” which may raise interpretive questions (e.g., whether approval authority, signature authority, or involvement at different levels triggers the ban). No exemptions or waiver processes are specified.
  • Legal questions: The criminal penalty and scope could prompt administrative or constitutional challenges depending on implementation and definitions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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