HBA-EVB S.B. 348 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 348 By: Haywood Civil Practices 4/24/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas has more than 600 local chambers of commerce located throughout the state. The role of every chamber of commerce is to improve the quality of life in its community, to create new jobs, and to improve local tax bases. Chambers of commerce rely on volunteers from the community for board members, officers, and service volunteers. If these members are threatened with potential litigation arising from their volunteer duties, they are less likely to serve. S.B. 348 includes certain chambers of commerce in the definition of a "charitable organization," and entitles such chambers of commerce, thus defined, to the charitable immunity and liability provisions set forth in Chapter 84 (Charitable Immunity and Liability), Civil Practice and Remedies Code. 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 84.003(1), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to include in the definition of a "charitable organization" a local chamber of commerce that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by being listed as an exempt organization in Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that does not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, and that does not directly or indirectly contribute to a political action committee that makes expenditures to any candidates for public office. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Section 84.007, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Subsection (h), to provide that this chapter (Charitable Immunity and Liability) does not apply to a cosponsor of an event or activity with a local chamber of commerce. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.