PAAT EDUCATION EVENTS

We would like to thank everyone who attended the 4th Annual PAAT Ethics Compliance Institute on November 13, 2008 at Barton Creek Resort. If you have any questions about this year's Institute Allison Small. Note the CLE course number is: 900052945.

PAAT Members: Thanks to those of you who were able to attend the roundtable discussion with Mary Camp and Melanie Harshman from the Legislative Reference Library. See PAAT follow-up e-mail for a copy of the presentation and other relevant handouts or contact us with any questions.

2008 PAAT Institute Registrants

Thank you for participating! The CLE course number is: 900052945.

Travis DA-elect to address lobbyists

Austin American Statesman, November 11, 2008

TAB Plea Bargain Agreement: PAAT Summary

October 21, 2008

PAAT TEC Meeting Update

October 13, 2008

Ethics panels sets new guidelines for trips

The Hill, September 24, 2008

PAAT Member Update: New Ethics Commission Entity Rules & the Impact on the Lobby

September 22, 2008

Judge strikes down speaker's race law

Download Sparks' decision.

Associated Press

August 25, 2008

More news...

MEMBERS
- Corporate Members
- Association Members
- Contract Lobbyists
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IMPORTANT TOPICS

Ethics Commission Meeting
The next commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2008, at the Capitol Extension, Room E1.010, in Austin, Texas.

Contribution Moratorium

The 2009 legislative session convenes on January 13, 2009. Please note that December 13, 2008, is the last day on which certain legislators, certain statewide officers, and certain political committees may accept contributions. The moratorium on accepting contributions begins December 14, 2008, and continues through June 21, 2009.

Detail Reporting Threshold Moves to $90.60
The legislative per diem is $151 per day. The impact to lobbyists is that expenditures for food, beverages and entertainment will now have to exceed $90.60 (not counting taxes and tip) to be detail reported.

 
 
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The next Ethics Commission meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2008, Room E2.010, Capitol Extension, Austin, Texas.

LATEST COMPLIANCE TIPS

Important guidance from recent TAB plea agreement:

From Statement by Ronnie Earle, Travis County District Attorney:

Under the law in Texas, there is no exception for de minimus activity funded by corporate resources. Any use of corporate resources of any nature to benefit a campaign for public office is a violation of the corporate prohibition, including the use of corporate facilities, corporate property, corporate employees or corporate expense reimbursement.

Any corporate employee that wishes to donate his or her personal services to a candidate or political action committee must do so on his or her own personal time, which should be noted in advance and clearly documented in corporate records.

Click here for recent entity guidelines.

PAAT

The Professional Advocacy Association of Texas is the recognized statewide association for the Texas lobby community. We strive to represent the issues and concerns of our membership on compliance and ethics matters before State Government, enhance the images of the public advocacy profession, and serve as a trusted referral source for those seeking legislative representation.

 

HELPFUL LINKS

- Ethics Commission
- Texas Legislature
- Quorum Report
- Texas Weekly
- Hill Zoo
- Capitol Inside
- More