BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1378

By: Davis, Sarah

General Investigating & Ethics

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties are concerned that a general-purpose committee's ability to make or authorize political contributions or political expenditures is unduly restricted by a preliminary requirement to file its campaign treasurer appointment by a certain date and accept political contributions from at least 10 persons. H.B. 1378 seeks to eliminate such preliminary requirements.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1378 repeals Sections 253.037(a) and (c), Election Code, relating to the prohibition against a general-purpose committee knowingly making or authorizing a political contribution or political expenditure unless the committee has filed its campaign treasurer appointment by a specified deadline and accepted political contributions from at least 10 persons. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.