By Heflin H.B. No. 1915 74R2045 DRH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to certain criminal penalties in connection with a 1-3 petition for an initiative or referendum measure. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Title 16, Election Code, is amended by adding 1-6 Chapter 278 to read as follows: 1-7 CHAPTER 278. PETITION FOR INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM MEASURE 1-8 Sec. 278.001. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter 1-9 applies only to a petition for an initiative or referendum measure 1-10 proposed under Section 1A or 1B, Article III, Texas Constitution. 1-11 Sec. 278.002. UNLAWFUL USE OF PETITION FORM. (a) A person 1-12 commits an offense if the person knowingly uses a petition in a 1-13 form that is not approved by the secretary of state. 1-14 (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 1-15 Sec. 278.003. COMPENSATION FOR PETITION CIRCULATION 1-16 PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person 1-17 knowingly compensates another person for circulating a petition for 1-18 signatures. 1-19 (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 1-20 Sec. 278.004. UNLAWFULLY OBTAINING SIGNATURES. (a) A 1-21 person commits an offense if the person knowingly obtains a 1-22 signature on a petition from a person who is not eligible to sign 1-23 the petition. 1-24 (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. 2-1 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on the date on which the 2-2 constitutional amendment proposed by the 74th Legislature, Regular 2-3 Session, 1995, reserving to the people the powers of initiative and 2-4 referendum, takes effect. If that amendment is not approved by the 2-5 voters, this Act has no effect. 2-6 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-7 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-8 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-9 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-10 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.