BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1761
87R10547 JG-D	By: Zaffirini
	State Affairs
	4/14/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas law requires some candidates, political committees, and general-purpose committees to file campaign reports regarding contributions received during the final days before an election. Currently, these sections contain anachronistic references to submitting these reports via telegram.   

S.B. 1761 would modernize the Election Code by eliminating these references to telegrams. Persons required to file these reports with the Texas Ethics Commission could transmit them electronically or via fax or deliver them in-person.

As proposed, S.B. 1761 amends current law relating to the filing of certain 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 254.038(c), Election Code, to delete existing text authorizing a report under Section 254.038 (Special Report Near Election by Certain Candidates and Political Committees) to be filed by telegram. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 254.039(a-1), Election Code, to delete existing text authorizing a report filed under Section 254.039 (Special Report Near Election by Certain General-Purpose Committees) to be filed by telegram.

SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2021.