79R3529 ATP-D

By:  Uresti                                                       H.B. No. 1861



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to restrictions on the secretary of state's political 
activities.  
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is 
amended by adding Section 31.0015 to read as follows:
	Sec. 31.0015.  RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.  (a)  
In this section:
		(1)  "Campaign organization" means an organization, 
including a specific-purpose committee as defined by Section 
251.001, the primary purpose of which is to promote the election of 
a person to public office.
		(2)  "Executive position" means a position of 
discretionary, policymaking, and management authority in an 
organization.
		(3)  "Honorary position" means a prominent position in 
an organization held by a person wholly or partly by virtue of the 
person's public office or status in another organization, including 
a position in which the person is not required to perform any 
specific duties.
	(b)  The secretary of state may not hold an honorary or 
executive position in a campaign organization supporting a 
candidate, or be appointed as the campaign treasurer for a 
candidate or for a specific-purpose committee supporting a 
candidate, if the candidate is seeking election to an office for 
which a resident of this state is qualified to vote, including an 
office of the federal government.
	(c)  At the time the secretary of state accepts a position or 
appointment in violation of this section, the secretary vacates the 
position of secretary of state.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.