By Isett H.B. No. 2784
76R5617 PAM-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to extending the period for making or accepting political
1-3 contributions before a regular legislative session in certain
1-4 circumstances.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Section 253.034(a), Election Code, is amended to
1-7 read as follows:
1-8 (a) Except as provided by Section 253.0342, during [During]
1-9 the period beginning on the 30th day before the date a regular
1-10 legislative session convenes and continuing through the day of
1-11 final adjournment, a person may not knowingly make a political
1-12 contribution to:
1-13 (1) a statewide officeholder;
1-14 (2) a member of the legislature; or
1-15 (3) a specific-purpose committee for supporting,
1-16 opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the
1-17 legislature.
1-18 SECTION 2. Section 253.0341(a), Election Code, is amended to
1-19 read as follows:
1-20 (a) Except as provided by Section 253.0342, during [During]
1-21 the period beginning on the 30th day before the date a regular
1-22 legislative session convenes and continuing through the day of
1-23 final adjournment, a person not a member of the caucus may not
1-24 knowingly make a contribution to a legislative caucus.
2-1 SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, is
2-2 amended by adding Section 253.0342 to read as follows:
2-3 Sec. 253.0342. EXTENDING PERIOD FOR MAKING OR ACCEPTING
2-4 CONTRIBUTIONS BEFORE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. If the last day
2-5 for making or accepting a contribution under Section 253.034 or
2-6 253.0341 is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday,
2-7 the restricted period prescribed by those sections begins on the
2-8 day after the next regular business day.
2-9 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-10 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the
2-11 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.