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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to restrictions on the use of political contributions by |
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certain state officers; providing a criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 253.035(d), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) In this section, "personal use" means a use that |
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primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with |
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the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder |
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of a public office. The term includes payment of rent and other |
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expenses for a personal residence, including a residence in Travis |
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County or a surrounding county by a member of the legislature who |
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does not ordinarily reside in that county. The term does not |
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include: |
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(1) payments made to defray ordinary and necessary |
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expenses incurred in connection with activities as a candidate or |
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in connection with the performance of duties or activities as a |
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public officeholder[, including payment of rent, utility, and other
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reasonable housing or household expenses incurred in maintaining a
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residence in Travis County by members of the legislature who do not
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ordinarily reside in Travis County, but excluding payments
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prohibited under Section 253.038]; or |
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(2) payments of federal income taxes due on interest |
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and other income earned on political contributions. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 253.046 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 253.046. USE OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR CERTAIN |
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GIFTS PROHIBITED. (a) A person who holds the office of state |
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representative or state senator may not knowingly make an |
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expenditure from funds received as a political contribution if the |
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expenditure is for a gift to another state representative or state |
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senator, the lieutenant governor, or the governor. |
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(b) A person who violates this section commits an offense. |
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An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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an expenditure made on or after September 1, 2007. An expenditure |
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made before that date is governed by the law in effect when the |
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expenditure was made, and the former law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |