HBA-JEK H.B. 1180 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1180
By: Capelo
Elections
3/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Political pressure placed on a judge by a political party has the potential
to influence rulings and compromise justice.  House Bill 1180 requires
political party officers to disclose any contact they have with a judge of
this state that occurs outside of an official proceeding but relates to a
proceeding conducted by the judge. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1180 amends the Election Code to require certain officers of a
political party to disclose each contact the officer has with a judge of
this state that occurs outside of an official proceeding conducted by the
judge and concerns a judicial proceeding that is pending before the judge.
The bill applies only to a political party officer who is a county chair,
precinct chair, or member of the state executive committee.   

The bill sets forth provisions regarding the making and filing of a
disclosure of a contact by a party officer. It establishes that a person
who fails to make a disclosure as required by this bill commits a Class A
misdemeanor. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.