Bill: HB 3305, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

House General Investigating & Ethics

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Negative

Author(s)

Lyle Larson

Bill Caption

Relating to the eligibility for appointment to public office by the governor of persons who make certain contributions.

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would make a person ineligible to be appointed to public office by the governor if the individual made contributions that in aggregate exceed $2,500 to the governor or a specific purpose committee supporting the governor as a candidate or officeholder. The bill would also prohibit a person serving as an officer appointed by the governor from making political contributions that in aggregate exceed $2,500 to the governor or a specific purpose committee supporting the governor as a candidate or officeholder. A violation of this would make an individual liable in damages to the state for triple the amount of contributions in a year that exceed the limited prescribed by the section. A contribution by the officeholder's spouse or dependent child or contribution from an organization made in the officeholder's name and with their consent would be considered a contribution by the officeholder. Before taking office, an individual would also be required to sign an attestation that they have not made political contributions in aggregate of $2,500 as stated above. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would violate our principles of individual liberty and limited government by making a person ineligible for governmental appointment due to their political contributions. This would cause a person to have a job prospect taken away from them due entirely to the exercise of their freedom of speech. For this reason, we oppose this bill. 

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 04:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/hb3305?print_view=true