BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1795
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Some political committees have taken advantage of a textual loophole in the statute that requires the filing of eight-day runoff election reports. Statute requires the campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee that supports or opposes a candidate in an election and an ensuing runoff election to file a runoff election report not later than the eighth day before runoff election day. Statute does not require a political committee that does not participate in the election to file an eight-day runoff report.
This bill would require any political committee that becomes involved in a runoff election to file an eight-day runoff report, regardless of whether it participated in the initial election.
As proposed, S.B. 1795 amends current law relating to the filing by political committees of reports of political contributions and expenditures in connection with a runoff election.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 254.124(e), Election Code, to require the campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee that supports or opposes a candidate in a runoff election, rather than in an election and an ensuing runoff election, to file one report for the runoff election, in addition to other required reports.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 254.154(e), Election Code, to delete existing text requiring the campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee involved in a runoff election, rather than in an election and an ensuing runoff election, to file one report for the runoff election, in addition to other required reports.
SECTION 3. Provides that Sections 254.124(e) and 254.154(e), Election Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to a runoff election that follows an election held on or after September 1, 2009.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2009.