Bill

HB 1532

84(R) - 2015
House State Affairs
House State Affairs
Transparency

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Charlie Geren

Bill Caption

Relating to quarterly reporting of political contributions and expenditures by certain candidates, officeholders, and political committees.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill could result in increased administrative costs for the Ethics Commission to update guidelines and materials, however it is anticipated that any costs associated with implementing the legislation could be absorbed within existing agency resources.

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

The bill would amend chapters in the Election Code to require a holder and candidate of statewide office, state representative, or state senator, to file quarterly reports each year. The filing deadlines for the four reports would be due in the following order: April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15.

The bill would also apply the quarterly reporting requirement to general-purpose committees (GPACs) and to specific-purpose committees (SPACs) supporting or opposing an aforementioned candidate or officeholder.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The objective of this legislation is to require certain candidates, officeholders, GPACs, and SPACs to file quarterly reports each year. Quarterly reports, rather than semi-annual reports, may help ensure these candidates and officeholders are not utilizing campaign monies for fraudulent purposes.

While holding these candidates, office holders, and committees financially accountable more frequently may enhance transparency it may also simply create more busy work without achieving a real purpose since these entities are already required to file reports on a semi-annual basis. We are neutral on HB 1532.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Press Association