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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the mailing of notices, decisions, and reports by the |
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Texas Ethics Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 254.042(b), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) If a report other than a report under Section |
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254.064(c), 254.124(c), or 254.154(c) or the first report under |
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Section 254.063, [or] 254.123, or 254.153 that is required to be |
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filed following the primary or general election is determined to be |
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late, the person required to file the report is liable to the state |
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for a civil penalty of $500. If a report under Section 254.064(c), |
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254.124(c), or 254.154(c) or the first report under Section |
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254.063, 254.123, or 254.153 that is required to be filed following |
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the primary or general election is determined to be late, the person |
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required to file the report is liable to the state for a civil |
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penalty of $500 for the first day the report is late and $100 for |
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each day thereafter that the report is late. If a report is more |
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than 30 days late, the commission shall issue a warning of liability |
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by certified [registered] mail to the person required to file the |
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report. If the penalty is not paid before the 10th day after the |
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date on which the warning is received, the person is liable for a |
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civil penalty in an amount determined by commission rule, but not to |
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exceed $10,000. |
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SECTION 2. Section 571.032, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 571.032. MAILING OF NOTICES, DECISIONS, AND REPORTS. |
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(a) The [Except as provided by Subsection (b), each written notice,
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decision, and report required to be sent under this chapter shall be
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sent by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return
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receipt requested.
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[(b) After] written notice under Section 571.123(b) |
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regarding the filing of a sworn complaint shall be [has been] sent |
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to a respondent by registered or certified mail, restricted |
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delivery, return receipt requested. The [person in the manner
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required by Subsection (a), the] commission may send the respondent |
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[person] any additional notices, decisions, or reports regarding |
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the complaint by regular mail [unless the person has notified the
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commission to send all notices regarding the complaint by
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registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt
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requested]. |
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(b) Any written notice, decision, or report required to be |
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sent under this chapter to a complainant may be sent by regular mail |
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or e-mail. |
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(c) Any notice regarding the status of a complaint required |
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to be sent under Section 571.1351(c) may be sent by e-mail. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |