HBA-NMO H.B. 1215 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1215
By: Madden
Elections
3/14/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the definitions of contribution, candidate contribution,
and officeholder contribution include both received and offered political
contributions.  As a result, the difference between received and offered
political contributions may have become distorted.  H.B. 1215 effectively
removes offered contributions from the definitions of contribution,
campaign contribution, and officeholder contribution.  This bill also
specifies information regarding offered contributions that must be included
on the political reports of candidates, officeholders, and specificpurpose
committees. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 251.001(2), (3), and (4), Election Code, to
provide that a "contribution" as defined, includes a legally enforceable
agreement.  Provides that a "campaign contribution," as defined, is one
that is given, rather than offered or given.  Provides that an
"officeholder contribution," as defined, is one that is given, rather than
offered or given.  Makes a conforming change.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 254.061, Election Code, to provide that each
report by a candidate must include, among a list of other information, the
name of any person who made an offer of money with the intent that it be
used in connection with the candidate's campaign during the reporting
period if the offer or the reasonable belief that the offer is for more
than $1,000, or the offer is to cover 10 percent or more of the total
anticipated costs of the campaign.  Provides that the report must also
include the name of each person who made an offer of money for the
candidate's campaign that was not received by the candidate, and the amount
of the offer.  Specifies that the report is filed not later than January 15
of each odd-numbered year.  Provides that the required information
regarding money not received is for the period beginning January 1 of the
preceding odd-numbered year or the date the candidate's campaign treasurer
appointment is filed, as applicable, and continuing through December 31 of
the preceding even-numbered year.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 254.091, Election Code, to make conforming
changes applicable to officeholder reporting. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 254.121, Election Code, to make conforming
changes applicable to a specific-purpose committee. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.