BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 647
80R7341 ESH-D By: McCall et al. (Duncan)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Campaign contributions during a special legislative session can create a perception of impropriety or of votes being bought to the benefit of the contributing entity.
H.B. 647 prohibits a person from making a political contribution to a statewide officeholder, member of the legislature, or specific-purpose committee during a special session called by the governor.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 253.034, Election Code, by adding Subsections (a-1), (b-1), and (c-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (c), as follows:
(a-1) Prohibits a person from knowingly making a political contribution to a statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature during the period beginning on the date the governor signs a proclamation calling a special legislative session and continuing through the date of final adjournment of that session.
(b) Makes a conforming change.
(b-1) Creates this subsection from existing text of Subsection (b). Makes a conforming change.
(c) Makes conforming changes.
(c-1) Creates this subsection from existing text of Subsection (c). Provides that Subsection (a) does not apply to a political contribution that was made and accepted with the intent that it be used by a person who holds a state office or a member of the legislature if the person or member was defeated at the general election held immediately before the session is convened or by a specific-purpose political committee that supports or assists only that person or member.
SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 253.034, Election Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 253.034. RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 571.073, Government Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 254.0391 (Report During Special Legislative Session), Election Code.
SECTION 5. (a) Makes application of Section 235.034, Election Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.
(b) Makes application of the repeal of Section 254.0391, Election Code, prospective.
SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.