Honorable Jodie Laubenberg, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB487 by Howard (Relating to certain restrictions on contributions and expenditures from political funds by a lobbyist; providing penalties.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Election Code and Government Code to restrict former elected officials from making political contributions or expenditures from political contributions accepted by the person as a candidate or officeholder until two years after the individual leaves office. The Ethics Commission anticipates that any costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015, and would apply to any political contributions or lobbying expenditures made on or after January 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed with existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.