SRC-MAX H.B. 131 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 131
By: Madden (Ellis)
State Affairs
5-16-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The 74th Legislature enacted legislation which instituted a method of
regulating contributions, expenditures, and advertising in connection with
certain judicial candidates and officeholders. Guidelines were established
for the filing of personal financial statements by certain judicial
officeholders, with attendant civil and criminal penalties provided for
noncompliance.  This bill sets forth provisions regarding political
contributions made in connection with certain judicial offices.
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 131 sets forth provisions regarding political
contributions made in connection with certain judicial offices.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 253F, Election Code, by adding Section 253.1541,
as follows: 

Sec.  253.1541.  ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICEHOLDER CONTRIBUTIONS BY PERSON
APPOINTED TO FILL VACANCY. Provides that this section applies only to a
person appointed to fill a vacancy in an office covered by this subchapter
who, at the time of appointment, does not hold another office covered by
this subchapter.  Authorizes a person covered under this section to accept
officeholder contributions beginning on the date the person assumes the
duties of office and ending on the 60th day after that date.   

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 253.157(a)-(c), Election Code, to prohibit a
specific purposecommittee for supporting or opposing a judicial candidate
from accepting certain political contributions.  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.