Texas House Bill HB1104

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to an exemption from the requirement that a legislative caucus file reports of contributions and expenditures if no reportable activity occurs.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1104 will specifically impact how legislative caucuses report their financial activities to the state. The existing regulation mandates that even in periods of inactivity, a caucus has to file a report, which can create a backlog of unnecessary documents and could be seen as a waste of resources. The new provision will help to lessen this burden and promote efficiency among caucuses, allowing them to allocate more time and resources toward their legislative objectives instead of administrative tasks.

Summary

House Bill 1104 aims to amend the Texas Election Code by providing an exemption for legislative caucuses from the requirement to file reports of contributions and expenditures when no reportable activity occurs during a specified reporting period. This amendment is particularly significant as it simplifies the reporting process for caucuses that might otherwise be burdened by the need to file reports despite having no financial activity to report. By removing this requirement, the bill seeks to streamline legislative operations and reduce unnecessary paperwork.

Contention

While the bill received overwhelming support with a vote of 143 in favor and none against, discussions around transparency in political financing could arise. Supporters argue that the exemption boosts efficiency and reduces administrative overhead, while critics could raise concerns regarding the necessity of maintaining accountability and transparency in political contributions. The absence of a report for periods of inactivity could potentially obscure financial activities if not properly monitored, leading to questions about the effectiveness of oversight in legislative income sources.