79R12958 E


By:  Talton                                                       H.B. No. 159

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 159:                                    

By:  Menendez                                                 C.S.H.B. No. 159



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to expenditures of funds by a political subdivision to 
advertise a referendum.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended 
by adding Section 140.008 to read as follows:
	Sec. 140.008.  EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION 
TO ADVERTISE ELECTION MEASURE.  (a)  In this section, "measure" and 
"political subdivision" have the meanings assigned by Section 
1.005, Election Code.
	(b)  A political subdivision may not spend funds on 
advertising, other promotional materials, or educational materials 
related to an election or measure for the period beginning on the 
60th day before the date of an election and ending on election day.
	(c)  This section does not apply to the expenditure of funds 
for notice or other publications required by the Election Code, 
another statute, a municipal charter, or in response to an open 
records request under Chapter 552, Government Code.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005, and 
applies only to an election for which the election order is adopted 
on or after that date.