83R11510 ATP-D
 
  By: Farias H.B. No. 195
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the availability on the Internet of reports of
  political expenditures and contributions filed in connection with
  certain county and municipal offices.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 254.0401, Election Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 254.0401.  AVAILABILITY OF [ELECTRONIC] REPORTS ON
  INTERNET.
         SECTION 2.  Section 254.0401, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (a-1) and (c) and amending Subsection (f) to
  read as follows:
         (a-1)  The county clerk of a county with a population of
  800,000 or more shall make a report filed with the clerk by a
  candidate, officeholder, or specific-purpose committee under this
  subchapter in connection with a county office or the office of
  county commissioner available to the public on the county's
  Internet website not later than the second business day after the
  date the report is received.
         (c)  The clerk of a municipality with a population of 500,000
  or more shall make a report filed with the clerk by a candidate,
  officeholder, or specific-purpose committee under this subchapter
  in connection with the office of mayor or member of the
  municipality's governing body available to the public on the
  municipality's Internet website not later than the second business
  day after the date the report is received.
         (f)  The commission shall clearly state on the Internet
  website on which reports are provided [under Subsection (b)] that
  reports filed by an independent candidate, a third-party candidate,
  or a specific-purpose committee for supporting or opposing an
  independent or third-party candidate will not be available if the
  candidate or committee has not yet filed a report.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Section 254.0401(b), Election Code, is
  repealed.
         (b)  Effective January 1, 2014, Section 176.009(b), Local
  Government Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 4.  Section 254.0401, Election Code, as amended by
  this Act, and Section 176.009, Local Government Code, as amended by
  this Act, apply only to a report of political contributions and
  expenditures that is required to be filed under Chapter 254,
  Election Code, on or after January 1, 2014.
         SECTION 5.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.