88R822 TJB-D By: Cain H.B. No. 3609 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to certain policies and programs that permit the use of public money to finance political campaigns. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 140.014 to read as follows: Sec. 140.014. CERTAIN POLICIES AND PROGRAMS REGARDING USE OF PUBLIC MONEY PROHIBITED. A political subdivision may not adopt or implement a policy or program that permits the use of public money to finance a political campaign. This section applies to a policy or program that permits: (1) the direct use of public money by the political subdivision to finance a political campaign; or (2) the indirect use of public money by the political subdivision through a voucher or similar program that provides a person with the public money to finance a political campaign. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.