HBA-SEB H.B. 2784 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2784 By: Isett Elections 3/12/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Election Code restricts political contributions from being made to a statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee during the period from the 30th day before the date a regular legislative session convenes until the day of final adjournment. The same restriction applies to a nonmember of a legislative caucus wishing to make a contribution to the caucus. The Election Code does not specifically address occasions when the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. H.B. 2784 extends the deadline for the last day to make a contribution until the next business day if the 30th day before the beginning of a regular legislative session is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. 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 Section 253.034(a), Election Code, to provide that Section 253.0342 is an exception to the provisions of this subsection prohibiting a person from knowingly making a contribution to a statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting or opposing one of those persons, during the period from the 30th day before the date a regular legislative session convenes until the day of final adjournment. SECTION 2. Amends Section 253.0341(a), Election Code, to provide that Section 253.0342 is an exception to the provisions of this subsection prohibiting a person who is not a member of a legislative caucus from knowingly making a contribution to the caucus during the period from the 30th day before the date a regular legislative session convenes until the day of final adjournment. SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 253, Election Code, by adding Section 253.0342, as follows: Sec. 253.0342. EXTENDING PERIOD FOR MAKING OR ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS BEFORE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. Provides that if the last day for making or accepting a contribution under Section 253.034 (Restrictions on Contributions During Regular Legislative Session) or Section 253.0341 (Restrictions on Contributions to Legislative Caucuses During Regular Legislative Session) is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, the restricted period for making or accepting a contribution begins on the day after the next regular business day. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.