HBA-NMO H.B. 1215 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1215 By: Madden Elections 3/14/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, the definitions of contribution, candidate contribution, and officeholder contribution include both received and offered political contributions. As a result, the difference between received and offered political contributions may have become distorted. H.B. 1215 effectively removes offered contributions from the definitions of contribution, campaign contribution, and officeholder contribution. This bill also specifies information regarding offered contributions that must be included on the political reports of candidates, officeholders, and specificpurpose committees. 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 Sections 251.001(2), (3), and (4), Election Code, to provide that a "contribution" as defined, includes a legally enforceable agreement. Provides that a "campaign contribution," as defined, is one that is given, rather than offered or given. Provides that an "officeholder contribution," as defined, is one that is given, rather than offered or given. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Section 254.061, Election Code, to provide that each report by a candidate must include, among a list of other information, the name of any person who made an offer of money with the intent that it be used in connection with the candidate's campaign during the reporting period if the offer or the reasonable belief that the offer is for more than $1,000, or the offer is to cover 10 percent or more of the total anticipated costs of the campaign. Provides that the report must also include the name of each person who made an offer of money for the candidate's campaign that was not received by the candidate, and the amount of the offer. Specifies that the report is filed not later than January 15 of each odd-numbered year. Provides that the required information regarding money not received is for the period beginning January 1 of the preceding odd-numbered year or the date the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed, as applicable, and continuing through December 31 of the preceding even-numbered year. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 254.091, Election Code, to make conforming changes applicable to officeholder reporting. SECTION 4. Amends Section 254.121, Election Code, to make conforming changes applicable to a specific-purpose committee. SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 6. Emergency clause.