S.B. No. 1761

AN ACT

relating to the filing of certain reports of political contributions and expenditures.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 254.036, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:

(g) In prescribing the format of a report filed under this chapter, including a report filed with an authority other than the commission under Subsection (a), the commission shall ensure that the report requires for political expenditures made with a credit card that:

(1) the expenditures be reported in a single itemized list; and

(2) the list include, stated by credit card issuer:

(A) the name of the credit card issuer;

(B) the date and amount of each expenditure; and

(C) the date the credit card issuer was repaid for the expenditure.

SECTION 2. Section 254.038(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) A report under this section shall be filed electronically, by [telegram or] telephonic facsimile machine, or by hand, in the form required by Section 254.036. The commission must receive a report under this section filed by [telegram,] telephonic facsimile machine[,] or hand not later than 5 p.m. of the first business day after the date the contribution is accepted. The commission must receive a report under this section filed electronically not later than midnight of the first business day after the date the contribution is accepted. A report under this section is not required to be accompanied by the affidavit required under Section 254.036(h) or to be submitted on a form prescribed by the commission. A report under this section that complies with Section 254.036(a) must be accompanied by an affidavit under Section 254.036(c)(1) unless the candidate or committee has submitted an affidavit under Section 254.036(c)(1) with another report filed in connection with the election for which a report is required under this section.

SECTION 3. Section 254.039(a-1), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a-1) A report under this section shall be filed electronically, by [telegram or] telephonic facsimile machine, or by hand, in the form required by Section 254.036. The commission must receive a report under this section not later than 5 p.m. of the first business day after the date the contribution is accepted or the expenditure is made. A report under this section is not required to be accompanied by the affidavit required under Section 254.036(h) or to be submitted on a form prescribed by the commission. A report under this section that complies with Section 254.036(a) must be accompanied by an affidavit under Section 254.036(c)(1) unless the committee has submitted an affidavit under Section 254.036(c)(1) with another report filed in connection with the election for which a report is required under this section.

SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a report of political contributions and expenditures that is filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A report filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the report was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1761 passed the Senate on April 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1761 passed the House on May 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 4, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor