Bill Text: TX HB582 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Comm Sub

Texas House Bill 582 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-05-04 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB582 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB582-Comm_Sub.html

	83R12413 CAE-D

	By: Howard, Crownover	H.B. No. 582

	Substitute the following for H.B. No. 582:

	By: Morrison	C.S.H.B. No. 582



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures
	from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 253, Election Code, is
	amended by adding Section 253.006 to read as follows:
	Sec. 253.006. CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES BY
	LOBBYISTS RESTRICTED. (a) In this section, "administrative
	action," "communicates directly with," "legislation," "member of
	the executive branch," and "member of the legislative branch" have
	the meanings assigned by Section 305.002, Government Code.
	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as
	provided by Subsection (c), a person required to register under
	Chapter 305, Government Code, may not, before the second
	anniversary of the date the last term for which the person was
	elected ends, knowingly make or authorize a political contribution
	or political expenditure from political contributions accepted by
	the person as a candidate or officeholder.
	(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a person who:
	(1) communicates directly with a member of the
	legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or
	administrative action on behalf of:
	(A) a nonprofit organization exempt from federal
	income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of
	1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of that
	code;
	(B) a group of low-income individuals; or
	(C) a group of individuals with disabilities;
	and
	(2) does not receive compensation other than
	reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication
	described by Subdivision (1).
	(d) A person who violates this section commits an offense.
	An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
	SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 305, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 305.030 to read as follows:
	Sec. 305.030. EXPENDITURES FROM POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
	RESTRICTED. (a) In this section, "political contribution" has the
	meaning assigned by Section 251.001, Election Code.
	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as
	provided by Subsection (c), a person required to register under
	this chapter may not, before the second anniversary of the date the
	last term for which the person was elected ends, knowingly make or
	authorize an expenditure under this chapter from political
	contributions accepted by the person as a candidate or
	officeholder.
	(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a person who:
	(1) communicates directly with a member of the
	legislative or executive branch only to influence legislation or
	administrative action on behalf of:
	(A) a nonprofit organization exempt from federal
	income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of
	1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(3) of that
	code;
	(B) a group of low-income individuals; or
	(C) a group of individuals with disabilities;
	and
	(2) does not receive compensation other than
	reimbursement for actual expenses for engaging in communication
	described by Subdivision (1).
	SECTION 3. Section 253.006, Election Code, as added by this
	Act, and Section 305.030, Government Code, as added by this Act,
	apply to a political contribution, political expenditure, or
	lobbying expenditure made on or after September 1, 2013, from funds
	accepted as a political contribution, regardless of the date the
	funds were accepted.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.