81R9214 ESH-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1950
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to disclosures on certain electronic communications that
support or oppose a candidate, public officer, or measure.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 251.001, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subdivision (16) and adding Subdivision (21) to read as
follows:
(16) "Political advertising" means a communication
supporting or opposing a candidate for nomination or election to a
public office or office of a political party, a political party, a
public officer, or a measure that:
(A) in return for consideration, is published in
a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical or is broadcast by radio
or television; or
(B) appears:
(i) in a pamphlet, circular, flier,
billboard or other sign, bumper sticker, or similar form of written
communication; [or]
(ii) on an Internet website; or
(iii) in a blog.
(21) "Blog" means an Internet website maintained by a
person that contains regular entries of commentary, descriptions of
events, or similar material.
SECTION 2. Section 255.001(d), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) This section does not apply to:
(1) tickets or invitations to political fund-raising
events;
(2) campaign buttons, pins, hats, or similar campaign
materials; [or]
(3) circulars or flyers that cost in the aggregate
less than $500 to publish and distribute; or
(4) a blog maintained by:
(A) an individual who does not receive
compensation for maintaining the blog; or
(B) a recognized news organization, including a
newspaper, magazine, radio or television station or network, cable
television operator, programmer, or producer, or Internet
publication, that is not owned or affiliated with a candidate,
political committee, or political party.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.