Veterans (Local Government)

HB 671 restricts cities, counties, and other local governments from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that hire lobbyists for general legislative advocacy. The bill prohibits spending taxpayer money to influence most state legislation, with key exceptions allowing lobbying related to military, veterans, or service members' issues, and permitting nonprofit staff to provide non-lobbying services like bill tracking or testimony. Taxpayers can seek court orders to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win a lawsuit. This bill updates Texas law to limit how local governments spend public funds on legislative advocacy efforts.