URGENT UPDATE: Former Texas state Representative Chris Paddie has been hit with a staggering $105,500 fine for violating the state’s revolving door lobbying law. The Texas Ethics Commission confirmed this decision just last week, raising serious concerns over Paddie’s actions as he transitioned from legislator to lobbyist.
The commission’s ruling highlights that Paddie, who represented Marshall and chose not to seek reelection in 2021, contributed $54,000 to various House representatives and candidates late in his term. This occurred just before he registered as a lobbyist in May 2022, directly violating a law enacted in 2019 that prohibits former officials from lobbying if they have made contributions to officeholders within two years prior.
The ethics commission’s order states, “This suggests intent to cultivate or maintain influence with the Legislature in advance of his retirement, which is what the statute was intended to prohibit.” This finding raises questions about the integrity of the lobbying process in Texas.
Notably, Paddie unregistered as a lobbyist a week after his initial registration amid growing media scrutiny but later reregistered. He then redirected $55,500 back into his campaign account using personal funds—a tactic deemed a loophole in the law by the ethics commission.
In a significant clarification issued in February 2023, the commission ruled that using personal funds does not absolve prior violations, which led Paddie to unregister again. Additionally, the commission found that between April 2022 and January 2024, he accepted over $900,000 from lobbying clients under contract, further complicating his case.
The $105,500 fine reflects not just the violations but also the “willful nature” of Paddie’s actions and his lack of good faith in addressing the complaint. The commission emphasized the need to deter future infractions, indicating a zero-tolerance approach to such violations. Payment of the fine is due within 30 days of its issuance.
This situation underscores the ethical complexities surrounding lobbying in Texas, particularly as Paddie was instrumental in the creation of the legislation he now finds himself in violation of, having coauthored House Bill 2677 in 2019.
As developments unfold, the implications of this ruling could have lasting effects on lobbying practices and legislative integrity in Texas. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent matter.
