By: Seliger S.B. No. 346
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to reporting requirements of certain persons who do not
meet the definition of political committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 254.261, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) This section does not apply to a person to whom
Subchapter K applies.
SECTION 2. Chapter 254, Election Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. REPORTING BY CERTAIN PERSONS WHO DO NOT MEET THE
DEFINITION OF POLITICAL COMMITTEE
Sec. 254.281. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This
subchapter applies only to a person or a group of persons that:
(1) does not meet the definition of political
committee under Section 251.001(12);
(2) accepts political contributions as described by
Subsection (c); and
(3) makes one or more political expenditures,
excluding expenditures authorized by Section 253.098, 253.099,
253.100, or 253.104, that in the aggregate exceed $25,000 during a
calendar year.
(b) This subchapter does not apply to a labor organization
or any subordinate entity or associated account of a labor
organization.
(c) A person or group of persons accepts political
contributions if its members or donors make a payment, including
dues, to the person or group of persons and, at the time of making
the payments, the members or donors have reason to know that their
payments may be used to make political contributions or political
expenditures or may be commingled with other funds used to make
political contributions or political expenditures.
Sec. 254.282. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. (a) Except as
otherwise provided by this subchapter, a person or group of persons
shall comply with this chapter as if the person or group of persons
were the campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee that
does not file monthly reports under Section 254.155.
(b) A person or group of persons is not required to file a
campaign treasurer appointment for making expenditures or
contributions for which reporting is required under this section
unless the person is otherwise required to file a campaign
treasurer appointment under this title.
(c) A person or group of persons is not required to file a
report under this subchapter if:
(1) the person or group of persons is required to
disclose the expenditure or contribution in another report required
under this title within the time applicable under this section for
reporting the expenditure or contribution; or
(2) no reportable activity occurs during the reporting
period.
Sec. 254.283. CONTENTS OF REPORT. (a) Itemization of a
contribution under Section 254.031(a)(1) is required only if the
contribution exceeds $1,000 during the reporting period.
(b) The first report required to be filed in a calendar year
in which the $25,000 threshold under Section 254.281(a)(3) is
exceeded must include all political contributions accepted and all
political expenditures made in that calendar year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.