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Bill

HB 2941

Relating to restrictions on certain contributions and lobbyist compensation by persons appointed to public office by the governor; creating a criminal offense.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Terry Meza

HB 2941 criminalizes campaign contributions and lobbyist pay for Texas gubernatorial appointees to reduce conflicts of interest and strengthen government integrity.

Referred to State Affairs
#crimes--miscellaneous(i0200) #elections--campaignfinancing(i0290) #ethics(i0345) #governor(i0375) #lobbyists&lobbying(s3141) #politicalcontributions(s0114)
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Bill Summary · HB 2941

Legislative bill overview

HB 2941 would restrict campaign contributions and lobbyist compensation for individuals appointed to public office by the Texas Governor. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations of these restrictions, aiming to reduce potential conflicts of interest among gubernatorial appointees.

Why is this important

Gubernatorial appointees hold significant executive power over state agencies and policy implementation. Restricting their financial ties to campaigns and lobbying firms is intended to prevent appointees from using their positions to benefit financial contributors or clients, thereby protecting the integrity of state governance and public trust.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope: The bill's exact definitions of "appointed to public office" and which positions are covered remain unclear from the title alone—boards, commissions, cabinet-level positions, and advisory roles may be treated differently
  • First Amendment concerns: Restrictions on political contributions may face constitutional challenges regarding free speech rights, particularly if broadly applied
  • Enforcement burden: Creating new criminal offenses requires prosecutorial resources and raises questions about who investigates violations and what evidence standards apply
  • Grandfather clauses: Unclear whether appointees already serving would be grandfathered in or if restrictions apply retroactively

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

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