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Amend the Wolens amendment to CSHB 1606 as follows:
(1) On page 40, between lines 22 and 23, insert the following:
SECTION 2.23. Title 15, Election Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 259 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 259. REGULATION BY CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
Sec. 259.001. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter
applies only to an election for an office of:
(1) a county with a population of more than one
million; or
(2) a junior college district, any part of which is
located in a county described by Subdivision (1).
Sec. 259.002. REGULATION BY CERTAIN POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS. (a) The commissioners court of a county or the
governing body of a school district or a junior college district may
regulate:
(1) political contributions to and expenditures by:
(A) a candidate for or holder of an elected
office in the county or district, as appropriate;
(B) a specific-purpose committee for the purpose
of supporting or opposing a candidate described by Paragraph (A) or
assisting an officeholder described by Paragraph (A); or
(C) a general-purpose committee involved in an
election for an elected office of the county or district, as
appropriate; or
(2) political contributions and expenditures related
to an election on a county or district measure, as appropriate.
(b) A regulation authorized by Subsection (a) may not be
inconsistent with a provision of this title, except that the
commissioners court or governing body may adopt a regulation that
is more stringent than a provision of this title.
Sec. 259.003. ENFORCEMENT. (a) The commissioners court of
a county or governing body of a school district or junior college
district may adopt procedures for the enforcement of regulations
adopted under this chapter, including procedures authorizing suit
to be brought in the district court for appropriate injunctive
relief to prevent the violation or threatened violation of a
regulation adopted under this chapter from continuing or occurring.
(b) The commissioners court of a county or governing body of
a school district or junior college district may impose a civil
penalty for a violation of a regulation adopted under this chapter.
The amount of a civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed
the lesser of:
(1) $2,000; or
(2) three times the amount at issue in the violation.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person violates a
regulation adopted under this chapter. An offense under this
section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(2) On page 66, strike lines 20 and 21 and substitute the
following:
ARTICLE 6. PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY AND STANDARDS OF
CONDUCT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS
(3) On page 71, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:
SECTION 6.03. Chapter 171, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 171.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 171.010. REGULATION BY CERTAIN POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS. (a) This section applies only to an officer of:
(1) a county with a population of more than one
million; or
(2) a junior college district, any part of which is
located in a county described by Subdivision (1).
(b) The commissioners court of a county or the governing
body of a school district or a junior college district may regulate
conflicts of interest of and related ethical issues involving
elected officers of the county or district, as appropriate.
(c) A regulation authorized by Subsection (b) may not be
inconsistent with a provision of this chapter, except that the
commissioners court or governing body may adopt a regulation that
is more stringent than a provision of this chapter.
(d) The commissioners court of a county or governing body of
a school district or junior college district may adopt procedures
for the enforcement of regulations adopted under this section,
including procedures authorizing suit to be brought in the district
court for appropriate injunctive relief to prevent the violation or
threatened violation of a regulation adopted under this section
from continuing or occurring.
(e) The commissioners court of a county or governing body of
a school district or junior college district may impose a civil
penalty for a violation of a regulation adopted under this section.
The amount of a civil penalty under this subsection may not exceed
the lesser of:
(1) $2,000; or
(2) three times the amount at issue in the violation.
(f) A person commits an offense if the person violates a
regulation adopted under this section. An offense under this
section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(4) Renumber the SECTIONS of Articles 2 and 6 of the bill
accordingly.