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          AN ACT
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        relating to transportation, lodging, and meals offered to and  | 
      
      
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        accepted by public servants. | 
      
      
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               BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | 
      
      
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               SECTION 1.  Section 36.07, Penal Code, is amended by adding  | 
      
      
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        Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: | 
      
      
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               (b-1)  Transportation, lodging, and meals described by  | 
      
      
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        Subsection (b) are not political contributions as defined by Title  | 
      
      
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        15, Election Code. | 
      
      
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               SECTION 2.  Subsection (a), Section 36.10, Penal Code, is  | 
      
      
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        amended to read as follows: | 
      
      
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               (a)  Sections 36.08 (Gift to Public Servant) and 36.09  | 
      
      
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        (Offering Gift to Public Servant) do not apply to: | 
      
      
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                     (1)  a fee prescribed by law to be received by a public  | 
      
      
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        servant or any other benefit to which the public servant is lawfully  | 
      
      
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        entitled or for which he gives legitimate consideration in a  | 
      
      
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        capacity other than as a public servant; | 
      
      
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                     (2)  a gift or other benefit conferred on account of  | 
      
      
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        kinship or a personal, professional, or business relationship  | 
      
      
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        independent of the official status of the recipient; or | 
      
      
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                     (3)  a benefit to a public servant required to file a  | 
      
      
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        statement under Chapter 572, Government Code, or a report under  | 
      
      
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        Title 15, Election Code, that is derived from a function in honor or  | 
      
      
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        appreciation of the recipient if: | 
      
      
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                           (A)  the benefit and the source of any benefit in  | 
      
      
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        excess of $50 is reported in the statement; and | 
      
      
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                           (B)  the benefit is used solely to defray the  | 
      
      
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        expenses that accrue in the performance of duties or activities in  | 
      
      
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        connection with the office which are nonreimbursable by the state  | 
      
      
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        or political subdivision; | 
      
      
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                     (4)  a political contribution as defined by Title 15,  | 
      
      
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        Election Code; | 
      
      
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                     (5)  a gift, award, or memento to a member of the  | 
      
      
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        legislative or executive branch that is required to be reported  | 
      
      
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        under Chapter 305, Government Code; | 
      
      
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                     (6)  an item with a value of less than $50, excluding  | 
      
      
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        cash or a negotiable instrument as described by Section 3.104,  | 
      
      
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        Business & Commerce Code; [or] | 
      
      
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                     (7)  an item issued by a governmental entity that  | 
      
      
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        allows the use of property or facilities owned, leased, or operated  | 
      
      
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        by the governmental entity; or | 
      
      
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                     (8)  transportation, lodging, and meals described by  | 
      
      
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        Section 36.07(b). | 
      
      
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               SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. | 
      
      
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        ______________________________ | 
        ______________________________ | 
      
      
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           President of the Senate | 
        Speaker of the House      | 
      
      
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               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1269 passed the Senate on  | 
      
      
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        April 21, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0. | 
      
      
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        ______________________________ | 
      
      
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        Secretary of the Senate     | 
      
      
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               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1269 passed the House on  | 
      
      
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        May 3, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 1, one present  | 
      
      
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        not voting. | 
      
      
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        ______________________________ | 
      
      
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        Chief Clerk of the House    | 
      
      
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        Approved: | 
      
      
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        ______________________________  | 
      
      
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                    Date | 
      
      
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        ______________________________  | 
      
      
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                  Governor |