| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures |
|
|
from political funds by a lobbyist, including penalties. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 253, Election Code, is amended by adding |
|
|
Section 253.006 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 253.006. CERTAIN EXPENDITURES BY CANDIDATES OR |
|
|
OFFICEHOLDERS; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) Notwithstanding any other |
|
|
provision of law and except as provided by Subsection (b), a person |
|
|
required to register under Chapter 305, Government Code, during a |
|
|
regular session of the legislature may not knowingly make or |
|
|
authorize a political contribution, political expenditure, or an |
|
|
expenditure permitted under Chapter 305, Government Code, from |
|
|
political contributions received by the person as a candidate or |
|
|
officeholder for the two-year period beginning on the date the |
|
|
regular session convened and ending on the date the next regular |
|
|
session convenes. |
|
|
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a person who: |
|
|
(1) communicates directly with a member of the |
|
|
legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or |
|
|
administrative action on behalf of: |
|
|
(A) a nonprofit organization; |
|
|
(B) a group of low-income individuals; or |
|
|
(C) a group of individuals with disabilities; |
|
|
and |
|
|
(2) does not receive compensation other than |
|
|
reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication |
|
|
described by Subdivision (1). |
|
|
(c) A person who violates this section commits an offense. |
|
|
An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. |
|
|
(d) As used in this section, "administrative action", |
|
|
"communicates directly with," "legislation," "member of the |
|
|
executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch" have the |
|
|
meanings assigned by Section 305.002, Government Code. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |