83R5686 ATP-F By: Parker H.B. No. 1980 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to contributions by a corporation or labor organization from an employee or member that are used to assist a political committee; providing a criminal penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 253, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 253.1015 to read as follows: Sec. 253.1015. SEPARATION OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM REQUIRED PAYMENT. (a) A corporation or labor organization must solicit contributions used to assist a political committee separately from dues, fees, or other money required as a condition of employment or condition of membership in a labor organization and may not accept a contribution unless the employee or labor organization member makes a separate election to contribute to the political committee. (b) An employer shall list any contribution from the employee used to assist a political committee deducted from an employee's paycheck separately from any other deduction on a statement of earnings. (c) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.