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.