HBA-SEB H.B. 2784 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2784
By: Isett
Elections
3/12/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Election Code restricts political contributions from being
made to a statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a
specific-purpose committee during the period from the 30th day before the
date a regular legislative session convenes until the day of final
adjournment. The same restriction applies to a nonmember of a legislative
caucus wishing to make a contribution to the caucus.  The Election Code
does not specifically address occasions when the deadline falls on a
weekend or holiday.  H.B. 2784 extends the deadline for the last day to
make a contribution until the next business day if the 30th day before the
beginning of a regular legislative session is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 253.034(a), Election Code, to provide that
Section 253.0342 is an exception to the provisions of this subsection
prohibiting a person from knowingly making a contribution to a statewide
officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee
for supporting or opposing one of those persons, during the period from the
30th day before the date a regular legislative session convenes until the
day of final adjournment. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 253.0341(a), Election Code, to provide that
Section 253.0342 is an exception to the provisions of this subsection
prohibiting a person who is not a member of a legislative caucus from
knowingly making a contribution to the caucus during the period from the
30th day before the date a regular legislative session convenes until the
day of final adjournment. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, by adding
Section 253.0342, as follows: 

Sec. 253.0342.  EXTENDING PERIOD FOR MAKING OR ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS
BEFORE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.  Provides that if the last day for
making or accepting a contribution under Section 253.034 (Restrictions on
Contributions During Regular Legislative Session) or Section 253.0341
(Restrictions on Contributions to Legislative Caucuses During Regular
Legislative Session) is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national
holiday, the restricted period for making or accepting a contribution
begins on the day after the next regular business day. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5.  Emergency clause.