81R10163 ESH-D
 
  By: Howard of Travis H.B. No. 2926
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the appointment of a campaign treasurer and filing of
  reports of political contributions and expenditures by certain
  candidates.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 253.031, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a candidate who files
  a declaration of intent under Section 254.182 unless the candidate
  exceeds the maximum amount of political contributions or political
  expenditures prescribed by Section 254.181.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Subchapter G, Chapter 254,
  Election Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. EXEMPTION FROM REPORTING OR MODIFIED REPORTING
  PROCEDURES; $500 MAXIMUM IN CONTRIBUTIONS OR EXPENDITURES
         SECTION 3.  Sections 254.181 and 254.182, Election Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 254.181.  EXEMPTION FROM REPORTING OR MODIFIED
  REPORTING AUTHORIZED.  (a)  A candidate required to file reports
  under Subchapter C, including a candidate who has an opponent whose
  name will appear on the ballot, is exempt from filing reports under
  this chapter if the candidate does not intend to accept political
  contributions that in the aggregate exceed $500 or to make
  political expenditures that in the aggregate exceed $500 in
  connection with the election.
         (b)  A [An opposed candidate or] specific-purpose committee
  required to file reports under Subchapter [C or] E may file a report
  under this subchapter instead if the [candidate or] committee does
  not intend to accept political contributions that in the aggregate
  exceed $500 or to make political expenditures that in the aggregate
  exceed $500 in connection with the election.
         (c) [(b)]  The amount of a filing fee paid by a candidate is
  excluded from the $500 maximum expenditure permitted under
  Subsection (a) [this section].
         Sec. 254.182.  DECLARATION OF INTENT REQUIRED.  (a)  To be
  exempt from filing reports under this chapter, a candidate must
  file a written declaration of intent not to exceed $500 in political
  contributions or political expenditures in the election.
         (b)  A candidate who files a campaign treasurer appointment
  must file the declaration of intent with the candidate's campaign
  treasurer appointment.  A candidate who does not file a campaign
  treasurer appointment must file the declaration of intent with the
  authority with whom the candidate would otherwise file a campaign
  treasurer appointment.
         (c)  To be entitled to file reports under this subchapter, a
  [an opposed candidate or] specific-purpose committee must file with
  the campaign treasurer appointment a written declaration of intent
  not to exceed $500 in political contributions or political
  expenditures in the election.
         (d) [(b)]  The declaration of intent must contain a
  statement that the candidate or committee understands that if the
  $500 maximum for contributions and expenditures is exceeded:
               (1)  the candidate is required to file a campaign
  treasurer appointment, if the candidate has not previously done so;
  and
               (2)  the candidate or committee is required to file
  reports under Subchapter C or E, as applicable.
         SECTION 4.  Sections 254.183(a) and (c), Election Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A [An opposed] candidate or specific-purpose committee
  that exceeds $500 in political contributions or political
  expenditures in the election shall file reports as required by
  Subchapter C or E, as applicable.
         (c)  A report filed under Subsection (b) covers the period:
               (1)  beginning on:
                     (A)  for a candidate who did not previously file a
  campaign treasurer appointment, the day the first political
  contribution is accepted or the first political expenditure is
  made; or
                     (B)  for a candidate who previously filed a
  campaign treasurer appointment or for a specific-purpose
  committee, the day the candidate's or committee's campaign
  treasurer appointment is filed; and
               (2)  continuing through the day the maximum is
  exceeded.
         SECTION 5.  Section 254.184, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 254.184.  APPLICABILITY OF REGULAR REPORTING
  REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  Subchapter [C or] E [, as applicable,] applies
  to a [an opposed candidate or] specific-purpose committee filing
  under this subchapter to the extent that that [the appropriate]
  subchapter does not conflict with this subchapter.
         (b)  A specific-purpose [candidate or] committee filing
  under this subchapter is not required to file any reports of
  political contributions and political expenditures other than the
  semiannual reports required to be filed not later than July 15 and
  January 15.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.