83R2650 MAW-D By: Howard H.B. No. 769 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to legislative budget sessions in even-numbered years and to reports of political contributions accepted during a budget session. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 301.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 301.001. TIME OF MEETING. (a) In each odd-numbered year, the [The] legislature shall convene in regular session at 12 noon on the second Tuesday in January [of each odd-numbered year]. (b) In each even-numbered year, the legislature shall convene in budget session at 12 noon on the third Tuesday in April. SECTION 2. Section 317.003(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The governor or Legislative Budget Board may make a proposal at any time except during a [regular or special] session of the legislature. A proposal may apply to an appropriation that has been made for any specified fiscal year that has not ended at the time the proposal is made. SECTION 3. The heading to Section 254.0391, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 254.0391. REPORT DURING BUDGET OR SPECIAL [LEGISLATIVE] SESSION OF LEGISLATURE. SECTION 4. Section 254.0391, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (d) to read as follows: (a-1) A statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature, or a candidate for statewide office or the legislature or a specific-purpose committee for supporting or opposing the candidate, that accepts a political contribution during a budget session of the legislature shall report the contribution to the commission not later than the 30th day after the date of final adjournment. (d) A report is not required under this section if a person covered by Subsection (a) or (a-1) is required to file another report under this chapter not later than the 10th day after the date a report required under this section would be due. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect January 1, 2014, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, providing for legislative budget sessions in even-numbered years is approved by the voters. If that proposed constitutional amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.