82R7016 EES-D

By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1451

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to direct campaign expenditures by corporations and labor organizations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 253.094(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A corporation or labor organization may not make a political contribution [or political expenditure] in connection with a recall election, including the circulation and submission of a petition to call an election.

SECTION 2. Section 253.097, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 253.097. DIRECT EXPENDITURE ON MEASURE OR OFFICE. A corporation or labor organization not acting in concert with another person may make one or more direct campaign expenditures from its own property in connection with an election on a measure or a public office if the corporation or labor organization makes the expenditures in accordance with Section 253.061 or 253.062 as if the corporation or labor organization were an individual.

SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 253, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 253.107 to read as follows:

Sec. 253.107. TRAVEL EXPENSE. A direct campaign expenditure consisting of personal travel expenses incurred by a corporation or labor organization may be made without complying with Section 253.097 if the corporation or labor organization receives no reimbursement for the expenditure.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.