Schwertner’s bill letting the secretary of state use donations

The text as introduced · 259 words

89R14184 MZM-F

By: Schwertner
S.B. No. 1881

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the use of political contributions by the secretary of

state to maintain a residence in Travis County.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 253.035(d), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(d) In this section, "personal use" means a use that

primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with

the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder

of a public office. The term does not include:

(1) payments made to defray ordinary and necessary

expenses incurred in connection with activities as a candidate or

in connection with the performance of duties or activities as a

public officeholder, including payment of rent, utility, and other

reasonable housing or household expenses incurred in maintaining a

residence in Travis County by the secretary of state or members of

the legislature who do not ordinarily reside in Travis County, but

excluding payments prohibited under Section 253.038; or

(2) payments of federal income taxes due on interest

and other income earned on political contributions.

SECTION 2. Section 253.035(d), Election Code, as amended by

this Act, is intended to clarify rather than change existing law.

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, 2025.