TITLE: Relating to prohibiting political contributions and political expenditures made by certain persons with public funds; creating a criminal offense.

SUMMARY: Relating to prohibiting political contributions and political expenditures made by certain persons with public funds; creating a criminal offense.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to prohibiting political contributions and political expenditures made by certain persons with public funds; creating a criminal offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 253, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 253.006 to read as follows: Sec. 253.006. UNLAWFUL USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS OR EXPENDITURES. (a) An officer or employee of a political subdivision may not spend or authorize the spending of public funds to make a political contribution or a political expenditure. (b) An officer or employee of a political subdivision may not directly or indirectly employ a person to use public funds to make an unlawful political contribution or political expenditure. (c) A person who violates Subsection (a) or (b) commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Section 253.006, Election Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a political contribution or a political expenditure made on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.