| TO: | Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2359 by Hopson (Relating to direct campaign expenditures.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend Election Code to remove the prohibition on corporations and labor organizations from making certain political expenditures, and would eliminate the requirement that a candidate's campaign finance report contain the full name and address of each individual acting as a campaign treasurer of a political committee from whom the candidate received notice that the committee accepted a political contribution or made political expenditures for the candidate. The bill would also specify reporting requirements for certain individuals who make direct campaign expenditures exceeding $100. Finally, the bill would repeal the following: (1) Section 253.002 of Election Code, relating to unlawful direct campaign expenditures; (2) Section 253.097 of Election Code, relating to certain direct campaign expenditures by corporations or labor organizations; (3) Subchapter C, Chapter 253 of Election Code relating to certain direct expenditures by individuals; and (4) Section 254.036(f) of Election Code, relating to the form of reporting by individuals making direct campaign expenditures.
It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011, or immediately with two-thirds vote of all members of the Legislature.
| Source Agencies: | 356 Texas Ethics Commission
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, JT, MS, DEH
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