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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of political contributions by a candidate or |
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officeholder for child-care expenses. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 253.035(d), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) In this section, "personal use" means a use that |
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primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with |
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the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder |
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of a public office. The term does not include: |
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(1) payments made to defray ordinary and necessary |
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expenses incurred in connection with activities as a candidate or |
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in connection with the performance of duties or activities as a |
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public officeholder, including payment of: |
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(A) rent, utility, and other reasonable housing |
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or household expenses incurred in maintaining a residence in Travis |
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County by members of the legislature who do not ordinarily reside in |
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Travis County, but excluding payments prohibited under Section |
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253.038; or |
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(B) child-care expenses for a child of the |
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candidate or officeholder made in accordance with Section 253.0352; |
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or |
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(2) payments of federal income taxes due on interest |
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and other income earned on political contributions. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 253.0352 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 253.0352. CHILD-CARE EXPENSES. A candidate or an |
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officeholder may use political contributions to pay for child-care |
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expenses incurred for a child of the candidate or officeholder, |
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including payment to a family member other than the child's parent, |
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legal guardian, or conservator. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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payment of a child-care expense incurred by a candidate or |
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officeholder on or after the effective date of this Act. The |
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payment of a child-care expense incurred by a candidate or |
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officeholder before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
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the law in effect on the date the payment was made, and the former |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |