Proposed training targets lobbyists
Legislation follows Capitol staffer’s drugging allegation
After a female Capitol staffer reported that a lobbyist drugged her, both chambers of the Legislature are introducing bills that would require lobbyists to undergo sexual harassment prevention training before registering with the state.
Both measures — Senate Bill 2233 and House Bill 4661 — will be heard in the chambers’ respective state affairs committees Thursday morning. While the bills differ slightly, both would mandate that the training take place every two years, and lobbyists must receive a certificate of completion in order to register with the state.
The Senate version of the bill, which was jointly authored
by all 31 senators, also requires ethics training for lobbyists. The House legislation, introduced by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, DHouston, outlines consequences for a lobbyist who has engaged in sexual harassment, including license suspension.
“If lobbyists are going to work in and around Capitol, and directly with our staff, they too should be held to a responsible standard,” Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio and the lead author of the upper chamber’s bill, wrote on Twitter.
The moves come after a legislative staffer reported that a lobbyist used a date rape drug on her last month during an off-site meeting. The Department of Public Safety is investigating.
While few details about the incident are known, the powerful lobbying firm HillCo Partners identified one of its employees as a person of interest in the probe. The individual’s name has not been released publicly, and he has denied all allegations of wrongdoing through his attorneys.
In the meantime, some legislators have pledged to cut ties with HillCo Partners — and, in some cases, all lobbying groups — while the investigation is pending.
In and around the state Capitol, there’s a culture of eating, drinking and socializing with lobbyists, Menéndez said in a Wednesday interview. The training will help lobbyists define professional boundaries, he said, especially with young staffers who may not know how to handle those situations.
After hearing of the alleged drugging over the weekend, Menéndez said he wanted to take a “hard stand” against any such behavior. He proposed the training requirement to his colleagues, and “every single one of them agreed.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who said earlier this week that he will wait for the investigation to conclude before deciding if any additional steps are necessary, is also on board with a training mandate, Menéndez said.
“I think, when you have training, you put people on notice,” Menéndez said. “Now, you have no excuse. Now you know. I don’t want anybody to say they didn’t know.”
The senator indicated he is open to amending the bill and “improving it” as both chambers continue to work on the legislation.
A spokesman for House Speaker Dade Phelan, RBeaumont, said the Legislature “should stand behind any proposal that seeks to protect our Capitol community.”
On Monday, Phelan opened the session with a promise to establish a new email hotline for members, staffers and Capitol visitors to report accusations of sexual misconduct.
Phelan is also moving to require that the House’s sexual harassment prevention training take place inperson, rather than online. The Senate’s training is already face to face.