By: Smith of Tarrant H.B. No. 3869

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to political expenditures made by a corporation to finance the establishment and administration of a political committee.

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

SECTION 1. Section 253.100, Election Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(a) A corporation, acting alone or with one or more other corporations, may make one or more political expenditures to finance the establishment or administration of a general-purpose committee. In addition to any other expenditure that is considered permissible under this section, an expenditure for the maintenance and operation of a general-purpose committee is permissible, including an expenditure for:

(1) office space;

(2) telephones;

(3) office equipment;

(4) utilities;

(5) general office and meeting supplies;

(6) salaries for clerical or administrative assistance necessary for the proper administrative operation of the committee;

(7) legal and accounting fees for the committee's compliance with this title;

(8) meetings of the committee's governing body to interview candidates and make endorsements relating to the committee's support;

(9) the recording of committee decisions;

(10) the communication of committee decisions to contributors to the committee; or

(11) the preparation and delivery of committee contributions.

(d) In issuing an advisory opinion under Subchapter D, Chapter 571, Government Code, on the question of whether a political expenditure is for the establishment or administration of a general-purpose committee, the commission shall consider relevant federal election laws and opinions for guidance.

SECTION 2. 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.