81R26296 CAE-D By: Hinojosa, et al. S.B. No. 1152 Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1152: By: Anchia C.S.S.B. No. 1152 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 amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (a-1), (b-1), and (h) 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 holder of an office described by Section 253.151 or the office of justice of the peace; (2) a specific-purpose committee for supporting or opposing a candidate for or assisting a 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.