SRC-JBJ H.B. 1068 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1068
76R10955 PAM-DBy: McReynolds (Harris)
State Affairs
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

In an effort to prevent the misleading of voters, H.B. 3207, 75th
Legislature,  required nonincumbents to include the word "for" in their
campaign advertising.  The wording was intended to prevent voters from
believing  a candidate was an incumbent.  Unfortunately, some candidates
use such a small text that the wording is illegible.  H.B. 1068 would
require the wording to be of a certain size. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1068 amends regulations regarding the wording of certain
political advertising and campaign contributions. 

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 Section 255.006(c), Election Code, to provide that for
the purposes of this section, a person represents that a candidate holds a
public office the candidate does not hold if the political advertising or
campaign communication states the public office sought but does not include
the word "for" in a type size that is at least one-half the type size used
for the name of the office to clarify that the candidate does not hold that
office. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.