85R12616 JRJ-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 2133
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the political activities of certain county elections
administrators.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 31.035(a) and (b), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) In the county in which a county elections administrator
serves, the [A county elections] administrator may not be a
candidate for a public office or an office of a political party,
hold a public office, or hold an office of or position in a
political party. At the time an administrator becomes a candidate
or accepts an office or position in violation of this subsection,
the administrator vacates the position of administrator.
(b) In the county in which a county elections administrator
serves, the [A county elections] administrator commits an offense
if the administrator makes a political contribution or political
expenditure, as defined by the law regulating political funds and
campaigns, or publicly supports or opposes a candidate for public
office or a measure to be voted on at an election. An offense under
this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor. On a final conviction,
the administrator's employment is terminated, and the person
convicted is ineligible for future appointment as county elections
administrator.
SECTION 2. 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, 2017.