81R2795 CAE-D By: Geren H.B. No. 477 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the use of political contributions to pay a civil penalty imposed by the Texas Ethics Commission. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 253.035, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: (j) "Personal use" includes the use of contributions to pay a civil penalty imposed by the commission. SECTION 2. The change in law made by Section 253.035(j), Election Code, as added by this Act, applies to payment of a civil penalty imposed by the Texas Ethics Commission regardless of whether the penalty is imposed before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.