By: Burnam, et al. H.B. No. 2451

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the rulemaking authority of the Texas Ethics Commission.

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

SECTION 1. Section 571.062(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The commission, on the affirmative vote of at least six members of the commission, shall [may] adopt rules consistent with the purpose and objectives stated in Section 571.001 to administer, implement, or interpret this chapter or any other law administered and enforced by the commission.

SECTION 2. Section 571.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 571.001. PURPOSE. It is the policy of the legislature to protect the constitutional privilege of free suffrage by regulating elections and prohibiting undue influence while also protecting the constitutional right of the governed to apply to their government for the redress of grievances. This chapter is intended to achieve those purposes and shall be construed to achieve the following objectives:

(1) to control and reduce the cost of elections;

(2) to eliminate opportunities for undue influence over elections and governmental actions;

(3) to disclose fully information related to expenditures and contributions for elections and for petitioning the government;

(4) to enhance the potential for individual participation in electoral and governmental processes; [and]

(5) to ensure the public's confidence and trust in its government; and

(6) to disclose fully information related to political consultants who are compensated to influence elections as well as governmental actions.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.