BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 64
By: Zaffirini
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, political candidates and their campaign committees are required to file campaign reports with the Texas Ethics Commission during the last nine days of an election if they receive individual contributions of more than $1,000, and group contributions of more than $15,000. This requirement, however, does not extend to general purpose political action committees, as defined by Section 251.001(14), Election Code.
S.B. 64 requires a general purpose political action committee to report contributions in accordance with those laws governing such contributions to political candidates and their campaign committees.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 254.039, Election Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (b), and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), as follows:
(a) Requires a general-purpose committee to file additional reports during a specified timeframe if it accepts political contributions that exceed $5,000, or makes campaign expenditures to a single candidate or group thereof in excess of $1,000 and $15,000, respectively. Provides that the report is to account for contributions and expenditures for that specific reporting period.
(a-1) Requires a report to be received by the Texas Ethics Commission within a specific timeframe from the receipt of a contribution. Sets forth the required manner in which a report is to be filed. Deletes existing text relating to a timeframe in which to file a report.
(a-2) Sets forth specific content requirements to be included in a report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, including the full name and address of the contributor, the amount of the contributions, and the dates thereof.
(b) Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 254.042(a), Election Code, as follows:
(a) Removes an exception for telegram reports under Section 254.038 or 254.039, relating to the determination by the Texas Ethics Commission of a report being filed late.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2007.