2009S0673-1 03/11/09
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2242
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to disclosure reports filed with the Texas Ethics
Commission concerning political contributions and expenditures
made in connection with offices of and measures proposed by local
governmental entities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 571, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. REPORTING RELATED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL
ENTITIES AND OFFICERS
Sec. 571.201. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to
further the objective of fully disclosing information related to
political contributions and political expenditures made in
connection with offices of local governmental entities by allowing
a local governmental entity or a candidate for or holder of an
office of a local governmental entity to use the commission's
software and other commission resources to file disclosure reports
of contributions and expenditures required by Title 15, Election
Code.
Sec. 571.202. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Local governmental entity" and "local government
officer" have the meanings assigned by Section 176.001, Local
Government Code.
(2) "Political contribution," "political
expenditure," and "specific-purpose committee" have the meanings
assigned by Section 251.001, Election Code.
Sec. 571.203. USE OF COMMISSION SOFTWARE AND RESOURCES.
(a) To fulfill the purpose of this subchapter and to facilitate
filing of disclosure statements regarding political contributions
and expenditures and reports required by Title 15, Election Code,
the commission may allow the use of commission software and
resources by:
(1) a local governmental entity;
(2) a local government officer;
(3) a candidate for an office of a local governmental
entity; or
(4) a specific-purpose committee for supporting or
opposing a candidate for an office of a local governmental entity,
assisting a local government officer, or supporting or opposing a
measure proposed by a local governmental entity.
(b) The commission may provide assistance to a local
governmental entity, a local government officer, a candidate for an
office of a local governmental entity, or a specific-purpose
committee by:
(1) developing software to facilitate electronic
filing of disclosure statements and reports;
(2) accepting disclosure statements and reports for
electronic filing; and
(3) providing public access through the Internet to
electronic disclosure statements and reports filed with the
commission by:
(A) a local governmental entity;
(B) a local government officer;
(C) a candidate for an office of a local
governmental entity; or
(D) a specific-purpose committee for supporting
or opposing a candidate for an office of a local governmental
entity, assisting a local government officer, or supporting or
opposing a measure proposed by a local governmental entity.
(c) The commission may enter into an intergovernmental
contract with a local governmental entity to provide the assistance
described by Subsection (b).
Sec. 571.204. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER TO CERTAIN ENTITIES
AND PERSONS. Unless expressly provided by this subchapter, the
provisions of Subchapters A-F do not apply to the filing of a
disclosure statement or report under this subchapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.