SRC-ARR S.B. 936 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 936 76R7409 ESH-DBy: Ogden State Affairs 4/22/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law permits a corporation or labor organization to make one or more expenditures to finance nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns aimed at its stockholders or members as applicable, or at the families of its stockholders or members. Such expenditures are not reportable under the Election Code's chapter on political reporting. S.B. 936 would prohibit certain expenditures by corporations and labor organizations for nonpartisan registration or get-outthe-vote campaigns and provides a criminal penalty. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 936 prohibits certain expenditures by corporations and labor organizations for nonpartisan registration or get-out-the-vote campaigns and provides a criminal penalty. 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 253.099, Election Code, to authorize a corporation or labor organization to make one or more expenditures to finance certain nonpartisan voter registration campaigns, except as provided by Subsection (b). Prohibits a corporation or labor organization from making an expenditure to finance a nonpartisan voter registration or get-out-the-vote campaign by contributing money to a political committee. Provides that an expenditure under Subsection (a), rather than this section, is not reportable under Chapter 254. Provides that a person who violates Subsection (b) commits an offense. Provides that an offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.