TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 2. TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

Chapter 12. SWORN COMPLAINTS

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES

1 TAC §12.27

The Texas Ethics Commission adopts new §12.27, relating to deadline extensions for sworn complaints. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 2, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 4537) and will not be republished.

Section 12.27 gives the executive director the authority to extend sworn complaint deadlines pursuant to §571.136 of the Government Code.

No comments were received regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

The new rule is adopted under Government Code, Chapter 571, §571.062, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules concerning the laws administered and enforced by the commission.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 17, 2006.

TRD-200603775

Natalia Luna Ashley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Effective date: August 6, 2006

Proposal publication date: June 2, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800


Subchapter E. FORMAL HEARING

1 TAC §12.117

The Texas Ethics Commission adopts new §12.117, relating to formal hearings for sworn complaints. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 2, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 4537) and will not be republished.

The adopted amendment to §12.117 clarifies §571.121 of the Government Code regarding the proper venue for a formal hearing held under the sworn complaint process. Section 571.121 of the Government Code authorizes the commission to "hold hearings" without limiting the type of hearings the commission may hold. The rule would provide that the commission may hold a formal hearing either before the commission or before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).

No comments were received regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

The new rule is adopted under Government Code, Chapter 571, §571.062, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules concerning the laws administered and enforced by the commission.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 17, 2006.

TRD-200603778

Natalia Luna Ashley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Effective date: August 6, 2006

Proposal publication date: June 2, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800


Chapter 18. GENERAL RULES CONCERNING REPORTS

1 TAC §18.9

The Texas Ethics Commission adopts an amendment to §18.9, relating to corrected reports. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 2, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 4538) and will not be republished.

Section 18.9 relates to the filing of corrected reports. Currently, §18.9(c) provides instances in which a corrected report is not considered late for purposes of a late fine. That provision is no longer needed because it was superseded by statutory changes made by H.B. 1800, 79th Legislature, Regular Session. The proposed rule would include a reference to the relevant sections of the law relating to "substantial compliance."

No comments were received regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

The amendment is adopted under Government Code, Chapter 571, Section 571.062, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules concerning the laws administered and enforced by the commission.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 17, 2006.

TRD-200603773

Natalia Luna Ashley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Effective date: August 6, 2006

Proposal publication date: June 2, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800


Chapter 20. REPORTING POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES

Subchapter A. GENERAL RULES

1 TAC §20.1

The Texas Ethics Commission adopts an amendment to §20.1, relating to definitions. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 2, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 4539) and will not be republished.

Section 20.1 relates to Title 15 of the Election Code definitions. The amendment provides that the definition of campaign communication and the definition of political advertising do not include a communication made by e-mail. The amendment also repeals the parts of definitions that are an exact duplicate of the statute.

No comments were received regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

The amendment is adopted under Government Code, Chapter 571, Section 571.062, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules concerning the laws administered and enforced by the commission.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 17, 2006.

TRD-200603774

Natalia Luna Ashley

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Effective date: August 6, 2006

Proposal publication date: June 2, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800