Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB391 by Villarreal (Relating to limits on political contributions and direct campaign expenditures by individuals, partnerships, partners, and limited liability companies; providing civil and criminal penalties.), As Introduced
The bill would amend the Elections Code as it relates to monetary contributions to political campaigns. Under the provisions of the bill, a violation of Section 253.203, Elections Code would be punishable as a third degree felony.
A felony of the third degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Broadening the types of behavior punishable by incarceration is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to longer terms of probation, or, longer terms of confinement in county jails or prison. However, the number of offenders convicted under the provisions of the bill is not expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State.