80R3430 ATP-D

By: Bohac H.B. No. 2021

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to regulations regarding political contributions, expenditures, and advertising; providing a civil penalty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 251, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 251.010 to read as follows:

Sec. 251.010. CANDIDATE AND OFFICEHOLDER TRAINING. (a) A candidate, officeholder, or officeholder-elect shall annually complete the training provided by the commission under Section 571.071, Government Code.

(b) A candidate shall complete the training not later than:

(1) the 30th day after the earliest date the person takes an affirmative action described by Section 251.001(1); and

(2) the first anniversary of the date of completing any previous training.

(c) An officeholder-elect shall complete the training not later than the 30th day after the date of the election at which the officeholder-elect was elected. An officeholder shall complete the training not later than the first anniversary of the date of completing any previous training as an officeholder or officeholder-elect.

(d) A candidate who is an officeholder required to complete training under this section satisfies the training requirements of this section if the candidate complies with Subsection (c).

(e) A person may complete the training required by this section online, if the commission offers online training.

(f) A person who fails to complete training within the time required by this section is liable to this state for a civil penalty of $500.

SECTION 2. Section 254.063, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 254.063. QUARTERLY [SEMIANNUAL] REPORTING SCHEDULE FOR CANDIDATE. (a) A candidate shall file four [two] reports for each year as provided by this section.

(b) The first report shall be filed not later than April [July] 15. The report covers the period beginning January 1, the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through March 31 [June 30].

(c) The second report shall be filed not later than July 15. The report covers the period beginning April 1, the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through June 30.

(d) The third report shall be filed not later than October 15. The report covers the period beginning July 1, the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through September 30.

(e) The fourth report shall be filed not later than January 15. The report covers the period beginning October [July] 1, the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through December 31.

SECTION 3. Sections 254.064(a) through (d), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) In addition to other required reports, for each election in which a person is a candidate and has an opponent whose name is to appear on the ballot, the person shall file [two] reports as provided by this section.

(b) An opposed candidate in an election that is not held on a uniform election date shall file a report under this subsection [The first report shall be filed] not later than the 30th day before election day. The report covers the period beginning the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this chapter, as applicable, and continuing through the 40th day before election day.

(c) Each opposed candidate shall file a report under this subsection [The second report shall be filed] not later than the eighth day before election day. The report covers the period beginning the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this chapter [39th day before election day] and continuing through the 10th day before election day.

(d) If a person becomes an opposed candidate after a reporting period prescribed by Subsection (b) or (c), the person shall file the person's first required report under this section not later than the regular deadline for the report covering the period during which the person becomes an opposed candidate. The period covered by the [first] report begins the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed.

SECTION 4. Section 254.093, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 254.093. QUARTERLY [SEMIANNUAL] REPORTING SCHEDULE FOR OFFICEHOLDER. (a) An officeholder shall file four [two] reports for each year as provided by this section.

(b) The first report shall be filed not later than April [July] 15. The report covers the period beginning January 1, the day the officeholder takes office, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this chapter, as applicable, and continuing through March 31 [June 30].

(c) The second report shall be filed not later than July 15. The report covers the period beginning April 1, the day the officeholder takes office, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this chapter, as applicable, and continuing through June 30.

(d) The third report shall be filed not later than October 15. The report covers the period beginning July 1, the day the officeholder takes office, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this chapter, as applicable, and continuing through September 30.

(e) The fourth report shall be filed not later than January 15. The report covers the period beginning October [July] 1, the day the officeholder takes office, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this chapter, as applicable, and continuing through December 31.

SECTION 5. The heading to Section 254.123, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 254.123. SEMIANNUAL REPORTING SCHEDULE FOR CERTAIN COMMITTEES [COMMITTEE].

SECTION 6. Section 254.123(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee, other than a committee to which Section 254.1231 applies, shall file two reports for each year as provided by this section.

SECTION 7. Subchapter E, Chapter 254, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 254.1231 to read as follows:

Sec. 254.1231. QUARTERLY REPORTING SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC-PURPOSE COMMITTEE SUPPORTING A SINGLE CANDIDATE OR OFFICEHOLDER. (a) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee supporting a single identified candidate or officeholder shall file four reports for each year as provided by this section.

(b) The first report shall be filed not later than April 15. The report covers the period beginning January 1, the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through March 31.

(c) The second report shall be filed not later than July 15. The report covers the period beginning April 1, the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through June 30.

(d) The third report shall be filed not later than October 15. The report covers the period beginning July 1, the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through September 30.

(e) The fourth report shall be filed not later than January 15. The report covers the period beginning October 1, the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through December 30.

SECTION 8. Chapter 255, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 255.009 to read as follows:

Sec. 255.009. WEBSITE LINK TO COMMISSION. (a) A candidate, officeholder, or specific-purpose committee supporting a single identified candidate or officeholder that maintains an Internet website shall provide on the home page of the website a link leading to the Internet website maintained by the commission.

(b) This section does not apply to the official website of any public office held by the candidate or officeholder.

SECTION 9. Section 571.071, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(a) The commission shall:

(1) provide training by January of each odd-numbered year for members and members-elect of the legislature concerning compliance with the laws administered and enforced by the commission; [and]

(2) provide, in cooperation with state agencies, a program of ethics training for state employees ; and

(3) provide training for candidates, officeholders, and officeholders-elect subject to Title 15, Election Code, concerning compliance with that title.

(d) The commission shall provide a certificate of course completion to persons who complete the training under Subsection (a)(3). The commission shall maintain and make available for public inspection the record of current candidates' and officeholders' completion of the training.

SECTION 10. A person who is a candidate or officeholder on January 1, 2008, shall complete the training required by Section 251.010, Election Code, as added by this Act, before February 1, 2008.

SECTION 11. The changes in law made by this Act in amending Sections 254.063 and 254.093, Election Code, and adding Section 254.1231, Election Code, apply only to a report covering a period beginning on or after January 1, 2008. A report covering a period beginning before January 1, 2008, is governed by the law in effect on the first day of the period covered by the report, regardless of when the report is filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 12. This Act takes effect January 1, 2008.