Honorable Charlie Geren, Chair, House Committee On House Administration
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2377 by Geren (Relating to the use of legislatively produced audio or visual materials; providing penalties.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to prohibit the use of audio or visual materials produced by the legislature for political advertising. This includes prohibiting all members or former members of the legislature from using photographs purchased with state funds for political advertising. The bill would allow use of photographs of current and former members of the legislature in political advertising if the providing house, committee, or agency of the legislature is compensated for use of the photograph. The Ethics Commission would have to update their guidelines for political advertising, but it is anticipated that any costs could be absorbed within existing agency resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2013.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.