78R516 ESH-D

By:  Isett                                                        H.B. No. 952


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the date on which the moratorium on making or accepting political contributions before or during a regular legislative session begins. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 253.034(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Section 253.0342, during [During] the period beginning on the 28th [30th] day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and continuing through the day of final adjournment, a person may not knowingly make a political contribution to: (1) a statewide officeholder; (2) a member of the legislature; or (3) a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature. SECTION 2. Section 253.0341(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Section 253.0342, during [During] the period beginning on the 28th [30th] day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and continuing through the day of final adjournment, a person not a member of the caucus may not knowingly make a contribution to a legislative caucus. SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 253.0342 to read as follows: Sec. 253.0342. EXTENDING PERIOD FOR MAKING OR ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS BEFORE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. If the last day before the beginning of the restricted period prescribed by Section 253.034 or 253.0341 is a legal state or national holiday, the restricted period begins on the day after the next regular business day. SECTION 4. Sections 253.034 and 253.0341, Election Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to a political contribution or a contribution to a legislative caucus made on or after September 1, 2003. A political contribution or a contribution to a legislative caucus that is made before September 1, 2003, is governed by the law in effect at the time the contribution is made, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.