BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1874
86R7657 ATP-D	By: Fallon
	State Affairs
	5/3/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1874 proposes an amendment to the Election Code (Chapter 254) that would make it a Class B misdemeanor if a person knowingly fails to file three or more consecutive political contribution and expenditure reports.

This enforcement would take effect September 1, 2019.

As proposed, S.B. 1874 amends current law relating to the timely filing of reports of political contributions and expenditures and increases a criminal penalty.

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 254.041, Election Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:

(b) Provides that except as provided by Subsections (b-1) and (c), rather than except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under this section (Criminal Penalty of Untimely or Incomplete Report) is a Class C misdemeanor.

(b-1) Provides that a violation of Subsection (a)(1) (relating to a criminal offense of failure to report on time for certain political reports) is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person knowingly failed to file three or more consecutive reports under this chapter (Political Reporting) on time.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.