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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying: Texas Senate Faces Redemption Moment with SB 12 Votes

by | Jul 29, 2025 | 0 comments

The Texas Senate is set to deliberate and vote on Senate Bill 12 (SB 12) during the current special session, a pivotal measure introduced by State Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying by local governments. This bill follows Senate Bill 19 (SB 19), which passed the Senate in March 2025 during the regular legislative session, but was undermined by an amendment from Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and stalled in the House State Affairs Committee. SB 12 aims to end the practice of local governments using taxpayer money to hire lobbyists who often advocate against taxpayer interests. This practice cost Texans $98.6 million in contract lobbying in 2023, according to the Texas Public Policy Foundation. 

As the Senate considers SB 12, the potential reintroduction of the Nichols amendment looms large, offering Republican senators who previously supported it a chance to realign with taxpayer priorities.

What is Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying?

Taxpayer-funded lobbying occurs when political subdivisions, such as cities, counties, and school districts, use public money to hire registered lobbyists or fund nonprofit associations like the Texas Municipal League (TML), Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), and Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). These groups have lobbied against policies like school choice, property tax relief, and de-annexation rights for citizens neglected by municipalities. This practice is fundamentally unethical and a misuse of taxpayer funds. Funds that could support essential services like road repairs and public safety, or provide tax relief. Lobbying expenditures by local governments on just contract lobbying surged from $40 million in 2017 to nearly $100 million in 2023, underscoring the urgency of reform.

SB 12 proposes amending Chapter 556 of the Government Code to prohibit political subdivisions from using taxpayer funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that employ such lobbyists. The bill also empowers taxpayers with injunctive relief and the ability to recover attorney’s fees to enforce compliance, ensuring accountability.

The Nichols Amendment

The fate of SB 12 hinges on whether it can avoid the fate of SB 19, which was weakened by the Nichols amendment during the regular session. Adopted by a 15-13 vote, the amendment allowed nonprofit associations representing political subdivisions to continue hiring registered lobbyists, creating a loophole that preserved a large part of taxpayer-funded lobbying through organizations like TASB. 

Republican senators Donna Campbell (New Braunfels), Kelly Hancock (North Richland Hills), Joan Huffman (Houston), Lois Kolkhorst (Brenham), Robert Nichols (Jacksonville), Charles Perry (Lubbock), and Charles Schwertner (Georgetown) voted for the amendment, drawing sharp criticism from fiscal conservatives and taxpayers across the State. These senators were seen as prioritizing government interests over taxpayers, as the amendment diluted SB 19’s intent to comprehensively ban taxpayer-funded lobbying. On the flip side, Senators who opposed the Nichols amendment  were praised for their commitment to fiscal responsibility. 

However, the amended SB 19, though passing the Senate 20-11, failed to advance in the House, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to include the issue in the special session call.

An Opportunity for Redemption

With SB 12 now on the table, there is concern that Senator Nichols may introduce a similar amendment, again threatening to undermine the bill’s effectiveness by allowing associations to continue lobbying with the people’s money.

This presents a critical opportunity for the Republican senators who supported the Nichols amendment to redeem themselves. 

Thankfully, Senator Kolkhorst has already joined Senator Middleton and has joint-authored SB 12, sending a hopeful signal that she will support the bill as is and oppose any efforts to water it down. 

By opposing any similar amendment to SB 12, they can demonstrate their commitment to the 95% of Republican voters and super-majority of general election voters who support banning taxpayer-funded lobbying. Taxpayers are watching closely, urging these senators to align with the public’s demand for transparency and accountability. 

A strong SB 12, free from loopholes like those created by the Nichols amendment, could redirect millions from lobbyists to critical public services, and reinforce Texas’s legacy of transparency and limited government. As the Senate debates, the decision on any Nichols-like amendment will test the resolve of these lawmakers to prioritize taxpayers over special interests.

Concerned Taxpayers should make every effort to contact their State Senator, and encourage them to support SB 12, and oppose any effort to water-down this critical legislation.

Find your legislator HERE.


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On July 21, 2025, State Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) introduced Senate Bill 12, a measure to outlaw taxpayer-funded lobbying. If signed into law, SB 12 would mark a major victory for Texas taxpayers, targeting the unjust practice of governments using public...

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