HBA-AMW H.B. 2526 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2526
By: Junell
State Affairs
3/22/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law only prohibits a person in the textbook or bond business from
giving political contributions to or campaigning for a member of or
candidate for the State Board of Education (SBOE).  In addition to
contracting with these businesses, SBOE also contracts with such entities
as open-enrollment charter schools, nonprofit corporations, and commercial
banks.  Representatives of these entities have contributed to SBOE
candidates or members in the past and concerns have been raised regarding
the real or perceived impropriety of contractors giving campaign
contributions to SBOE members.  House Bill 2526 prohibits any person who
enters into or proposes to enter into a contract with SBOE, and the
person's officers, employees, and subcontractors, from making political
contributions to or campaigning for members of or candidates for SBOE. 

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 2526 amends the Education Code to provide that a person commits
an offense if the person knowingly makes or authorizes a political
contribution to or knowingly takes part in the campaign of a person seeking
election to the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the person has entered
or proposes to enter into a contract with SBOE, is an officer or employee
of such a person, or is a subcontractor of such a person for that contract
or proposed contract.  The bill removes the provision stating that a person
interested in selling bonds of any type or a person engaged in
manufacturing, shipping, selling, or advertising textbooks or who is
otherwise connected with the textbook business commits an offense if that
person makes the contribution to or participates in the campaign of a
person seeking election to or serving on SBOE.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.