(a) This chapter applies to the use of appropriated money by the following public entities and their officers and employees as if the entities were state agencies and their officers and employees were state employees:
(1) a regional planning commission, council of governments, or similar regional planning agency created under Chapter 391, Local Government Code;
(2) a local workforce development board created under Subchapter F, Chapter 2308; and
(3) a community center created under Subchapter A, Chapter 534, Health and Safety Code.
(b) This chapter does not prohibit the payment of reasonable dues to an organization that represents student interests before the legislature or the Congress of the United States from that portion of mandatory student service fees that is allocated to the student government organization at an institution of higher education. A mandatory student service fee may not be used to influence the outcome of an election.