Bill Text: TX HB702 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 702 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

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

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-21 - Referred to Elections [HB702 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HB702-Introduced.html

	82R4451 CAE-F

	By: Howard of Travis	H.B. No. 702



	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, during a regular session of the
	legislature may not, during the period beginning on the date that
	regular legislative session convenes and ending on the date the
	next regular legislative session convenes, 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;
	(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 305.029 to read as follows:
	Sec. 305.029. 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 during a regular session of the legislature may not,
	during the period beginning on the date that regular legislative
	session convenes and ending on the date the next regular
	legislative session convenes, 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;
	(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 305.029, Government Code, as added by this Act,
	apply to a political contribution, political expenditure, or
	lobbying expenditure made on or after September 1, 2011, from funds
	accepted as a political contribution, regardless of the date the
	funds were accepted.
	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.