By: Plesa H.B. No. 4343
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a restriction on political expenditures made during and
following a regular legislative session; creating a criminal
offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 253.0342 to read as follows:
Sec. 253.0342. RESTRICTION ON EXPENDITURES DURING AND
FOLLOWING REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. (a) This section applies
only to:
(1) a candidate;
(2) an officeholder;
(3) a specific-purpose committee for supporting or
opposing a candidate;
(4) a group of persons organized for the principal
purpose of accepting political contributions or making political
expenditures; and
(5) a committee, club, association, or other group of
persons that accepts political contributions or makes political
expenditures for the purpose of influencing an election in this
state.
(b) During the period described by Section 253.034(a), a
person to whom this section applies may not make expenditures that
either support or oppose a statewide officeholder or a member of the
legislature.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person violates this
section. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.