81R28213 E
By: Anchia, et al. H.B. No. 1359
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1359:
By: Anchia C.S.H.B. No. 1359
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the making or acceptance of political contributions in
a courthouse; providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 253.039, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-1), (b-1), and (h) and amending Subsection
(c) to read as follows:
(a-1) A person may not knowingly make or authorize a
political contribution while in a courthouse to:
(1) a candidate for or officeholder of an office
described by Section 253.151 or the office of justice of the peace;
(2) a political committee supporting or opposing a
candidate for or holder of an office described by Section 253.151 or
the office of justice of the peace; or
(3) a person acting on behalf of a candidate,
officeholder, or committee described by Subdivision (1) or (2).
(b-1) A person described by Subsection (a-1) may not
knowingly accept a political contribution, and shall refuse a
political contribution that is received, in a courthouse.
(c) This section does not prohibit contributions made in the
Capitol or a courthouse through the United States postal service or
a common or contract carrier.
(h) In this section, "courthouse" means any building owned
by the state, a county, or a municipality, or an office or part of a
building leased to the state, a county, or a municipality, in which
a justice or judge sits to conduct court proceedings.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.