Senate hears wide public testimony on SB 19 to ban taxpayer‑funded lobbying; substitute filed and bill left pending

The Senate took public testimony on SB 19, a bill that would prohibit political subdivisions from using public funds to pay contract lobbyists or to fund lobbying that requires registration under state law. Supporters argued the practice redirects taxpayer money to lobbyists who often work against taxpayer interests; opponents — including county judges and commissioners — said the associations and hired experts provide indispensable legislative monitoring, training and services and warned the bill would silence local governments that cannot otherwise staff a round‑the‑clock presence in Austin.

Senator Mays Middleton introduced committee substitute SB 19 and told the committee the bill would bar political subdivisions from paying contract lobbyists who must register under Chapter 305 of the Government Code. Supporters — including Genevieve (Geneva) Collins of Americans for Prosperity, Joel Castro (Americans for Prosperity), James Quintero (Texas Public Policy Foundation),…