(a) In this section, “Texas trade association” means a cooperative and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interest.
(b) A person may not be a commission employee employed in a “bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity,” as that phrase is used for purposes of establishing an exemption to the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.), and its subsequent amendments, if:
(1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association the members of which are subject to regulation by the commission; or
(2) the person’s spouse is an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association the members of which are subject to regulation by the commission.

(c) A person may not act as the general counsel to the commission if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 because of the person’s activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the commission.