BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 505
85R8137 ATP-F	By: Taylor, Van
	State Affairs
	1/30/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties observe that elected officials should not be allowed to use their campaign donations for lobbying purposes immediately following their retirement from public office. These parties observe that this practice allows retired officeholders to personally and immediately capitalize on donations received while serving in elected office. This benefit, interested parties note, creates the appearance of impropriety, detracting from the public's trust and confidence in public office.

As introduced, S.B. 505 prohibits a retired officeholder who is a registered lobbyist from making a political contribution using their campaign account before the second anniversary of their departure from office. This change prohibits former elected officials and candidates from using their campaign accounts for lobbying purposes for two years following their retirement.

As proposed, S.B. 505 amends current law relating to restrictions on lobbyist expenditures from certain political contributions.

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 305, Government Code, by adding Section 305.029, as follows:

Sec. 305.029. EXPENDITURES FROM POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS RESTRICTED. (a) Defines "political contribution."

(b) Prohibits a person required to register under this chapter from, before the second anniversary of the date the last term for which the person was elected ends, knowingly making or authorizing an expenditure under this chapter from political contributions accepted by the person as a candidate or officeholder.

SECTION 2. Provides that Section 305.029 applies to a political contribution, political expenditure, or lobbying expenditure made on or after January 8, 2019, from funds accepted as a political contribution, regardless of the date the funds were accepted.

SECTION 3. Effective date: January 8, 2019.