Part 2.
TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION
Chapter 20.
REPORTING POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Subchapter A. GENERAL RULES
1 TAC §20.31
The Texas Ethics Commission adopts new 1 T.A.C. Chapter 20,
Subchapter A, §20.31, concerning the use of political contributions to
make a contribution to a speaker candidate. The rule is adopted without changes
to the proposed text as published in the March 1, 2002, issue of the
The adopted rule clarifies Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 436 (2001), in which
the Texas Ethics Commission determined that a member of the Texas Legislature
may not use political contributions to contribute to a speaker candidate unless
the member is able to demonstrate that the member obtained the funds from
a source that is permitted to make contributions to a speaker candidate. Impermissible
sources include political committees and elected officers and employees of
the executive or judicial branch of state government. The adopted rule requires
an individual who wishes to use political contributions to make a speaker
candidate contribution to set up an account in a financial institution and
to notify the Texas Ethics Commission of that account. The account may not
contain contributions from sources that are prohibited from contributing to
a speaker candidate. Furthermore, any contribution to a speaker candidate
from political funds must be made from that account. Finally, the contribution
to the speaker candidate must be reported on the campaign finance report covering
the period in which the contribution is made and must specify that the purpose
is to make a contribution for an identified speaker candidate's campaign.
No comments were received regarding §20.31.
The rule is adopted under Government Code, Chapter 571, Section
571.062, which provides authorization for the commission to adopt rules concerning
the laws administered and enforced by the commission.
The adoption of new §20.31 affects Subchapter B. Candidate for Speaker:
Campaign Finance, Chapter 302, Government Code, and Chapter 254, Election
Code.
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 April 24, 2002.
TRD-200202533
Tom Harrison
Executive Director
Texas Ethics Commission
Effective date: May 14, 2002
Proposal publication date: March 1, 2002
For further information, please call: (512) 463-5787
Chapter 81.
ELECTIONS
Subchapter D. VOTING SYSTEMS CERTIFICATION
Part 4.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE