BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 19
89S20875 MZM-D	By: Bettencourt
	State Affairs
	8/26/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have been raised about members of the legislature fundraising during special sessions for quorum breaks and other political stunts. S.B. 19 will ensure that the same prohibitions in place on accepting political contributions during a regular session apply to a special session. 

During the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment of the special legislative session, a person may not knowingly make a political contribution to:

1. a statewide officeholder
2. a member of the legislature; or
3. a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature.

These changes will only apply to a contribution made after the effective date, and this bill will take immediate effect if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each chamber.

As proposed, S.B. 19 amends current law relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session.

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 the heading to Section 253.034, Election Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 253.034.� RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS DURING AND FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 253.034, Election Code, by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (c), as follows:

(a-1) Prohibits a person, during the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment of the special legislative session, from knowingly making a political contribution to a statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature.

(b) Provides that a statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature is prohibited from knowingly accepting a political contribution, and is required to refuse a political contribution that is received, during an applicable period prescribed by Subsection (a) (relating to prohibiting a person from knowingly making a political contribution to certain entities during a certain period) or (a-1). Makes a nonsubstantive change.

(c) Makes conforming changes to this subsection.

SECTION 3. Make application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.