By: Seliger S.B. No. 346
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to reporting requirements of certain persons who do not
  meet the definition of political committee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 254.261, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
         (e)  This section does not apply to a person to whom
  Subchapter K applies.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 254, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter K to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K.  REPORTING BY CERTAIN PERSONS WHO DO NOT MEET THE
  DEFINITION OF POLITICAL COMMITTEE
         Sec. 254.281.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. (a)  This
  subchapter applies only to a person or a group of persons that:
               (1)  does not meet the definition of political
  committee under Section 251.001(12);
               (2)  accepts political contributions as described by
  Subsection (c); and
               (3)  makes one or more political expenditures,
  excluding expenditures authorized by Section 253.098, 253.099,
  253.100, or 253.104, that in the aggregate exceed $25,000 during a
  calendar year.
         (b)  This subchapter does not apply to a labor organization
  or any subordinate entity or associated account of a labor
  organization.
         (c)  A person or group of persons accepts political
  contributions if its members or donors make a payment, including
  dues, to the person or group of persons and, at the time of making
  the payments, the members or donors have reason to know that their
  payments may be used to make political contributions or political
  expenditures or may be commingled with other funds used to make
  political contributions or political expenditures.
         Sec. 254.282.  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  Except as
  otherwise provided by this subchapter, a person or group of persons
  shall comply with this chapter as if the person or group of persons
  were the campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee that
  does not file monthly reports under Section 254.155.
         (b)  A person or group of persons is not required to file a
  campaign treasurer appointment for making expenditures or
  contributions for which reporting is required under this section
  unless the person is otherwise required to file a campaign
  treasurer appointment under this title.
         (c)  A person or group of persons is not required to file a
  report under this subchapter if:
               (1)  the person or group of persons is required to
  disclose the expenditure or contribution in another report required
  under this title within the time applicable under this section for
  reporting the expenditure or contribution; or
               (2)  no reportable activity occurs during the reporting
  period.
         Sec. 254.283.  CONTENTS OF REPORT. (a)  Itemization of a
  contribution under Section 254.031(a)(1) is required only if the
  contribution exceeds $1,000 during the reporting period.
         (b)  The first report required to be filed in a calendar year
  in which the $25,000 threshold under Section 254.281(a)(3) is
  exceeded must include all political contributions accepted and all
  political expenditures made in that calendar year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.