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.