🔴Relating to the registration as a lobbyist of persons who engage in certain lobbying activities on behalf of a foreign adversary and to prohibitions on the receipt of compensation related to those lobbying activities; providing a civil penalty.
HB 119
🔴 HB 119: Executive power over foreign lobbying rules
What it says it does:
HB 119 claims to stop lobbyists from working on behalf of foreign adversaries by requiring registration and banning any form of compensation. It sets civil penalties for violations and gives the Texas Attorney General power to enforce the law.
What it actually changes:
It expands state control over who is allowed to lobby by creating a new trigger for registration that applies even when no money is spent. It also gives the Governor power to unilaterally label any group or company as a foreign adversary. There is no appeals process, and the Attorney General alone handles enforcement, penalties, and collections.
Who is pushing for it:
The bill is backed by Rep. Gerdes and supported by State Armor, the Texas Farm Bureau, and individuals tied to the Williamson County GOP. These supporters are aligned with national security and protectionist interests. Two individuals, Cheng Zhengang and Steven Deline, registered opposition.
Who benefits:
Security-aligned firms like State Armor could gain new business helping clients navigate these restrictions. Politicians who campaign on anti-foreign-influence platforms benefit from the bill’s optics. Enforcement agencies gain financial control over penalties with no external audit required.
Who gets left out or exposed:
Nonprofits, researchers, law firms, and small businesses with international partners could be penalized without a clear way to defend themselves. Texans with immigrant backgrounds or global family ties may also face higher scrutiny and lose access to basic advocacy rights.
Why this matters long term:
The bill creates a pathway for politically motivated enforcement by removing oversight and due process. It concentrates decision-making in the Governor’s office and allows the Attorney General to act without transparency or checks from other state entities.
What to watch next:
Future legislation may expand this same structure to new sectors such as education, public health, or journalism. The precedent now exists for blacklisting entire industries or organizations based solely on affiliation with foreign interests as defined by one office.
Bottom line:
HB 119 gives the appearance of protecting Texas, but its true impact is to centralize power and silence certain voices. It removes public safeguards, offers no appeals, and creates a structure that can be quietly expanded without public input.
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