AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties have expressed concern that school districts may be generally ill-equipped to publish, in a manner more timely than is required by the current deadline, reports of political contributions and expenditures for a school bond election that are filed with the district by certain specific-purpose political committees created to support or oppose a measure. The concerned parties contend this delay could create confusion when an open records request for such a report is filed before an election. These parties suggest that these reports should be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission instead of a school district so that the reports can be published sooner and be made more readily available. In the interest of efficiency and transparency, H.B. 1114 seeks to impose this requirement.

 

H.B. 1114 amends the Election Code to require a specific-purpose political committee created to support or oppose a measure on the issuance of bonds by a school district to file reports of political contributions and expenditures with the Texas Ethics Commission.

 

H.B. 1114 amends current law relating to the authority with whom certain political committees must file reports of political contributions and expenditures.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 254.130, Election Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 254.130.  AUTHORITY WITH WHOM REPORTS FILED.  (a)  Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires that reports filed under this subchapter, except as provided by Subsection (b), be filed with the authority with whom the political committee's campaign treasurer appointment is required to be filed.

 

(b) Requires a specific-purpose committee created to support or oppose a measure on the issuance of bonds by a school district to file reports under this subchapter with the Texas Ethics Commission.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies only to a report of political contributions or expenditures due on or after the effective date of this Act. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.