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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the offense of unlawful use of public funds for |
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communications relating to a measure. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 255.003, Election Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 255.003. UNLAWFUL USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY EMPLOYEE OR |
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OFFICER OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION [FOR POLITICAL ADVERTISING]. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 255.003(a) and (c), Election Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) An officer or employee of a political subdivision may |
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not knowingly spend or authorize the spending of public funds for: |
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(1) political advertising; or |
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(2) a communication relating to a measure submitted at |
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an election as a result of an official action adopted or approved by |
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the political subdivision, other than notice required under Chapter |
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4. |
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(c) A person who violates Subsection (a) [or (b-1)] commits |
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an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 3. Sections 255.003(b) and (b-1), Election Code, |
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are repealed. |
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SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to the use of public funds or resources that occurs on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. The use of public funds or resources |
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that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
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law in effect before the effective date of this Act, and that law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |