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TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION |
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TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION |
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ETHICS ADVISORY OPINION NO. 277
September 8, 1995
Whether a Texas corporation may make political contributions and expenditures in connection with elections in a state in which corporate contributions are permissible. (AOR-312)
The Texas Ethics Commission has been asked to consider whether a Texas corporation may make political contributions and expenditures in connection with elections in a state in which corporate contributions are permissible.
Title 15 of the Texas Election Code prohibits, as a general rule, a corporation from making contributions and expenditures in connection with elections. Elec. Code ch. 253, subch. D. Although the restrictions on corporate political activity do not specify that they apply only to activity in connection with Texas elections, we have stated before that the clear purpose of title 15 is to regulate Texas campaigns and Texas elections.1 Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 208 (1994). Therefore, title 15 of the Texas Election Code does not prohibit a Texas corporation from making contributions and expenditures in connection with elections in other states.
SUMMARY
Title 15 of the Texas Election Code does not prohibit a Texas corporation from making contributions and expenditures in connection with elections in other states.
1 Federal law, not Texas law, applies to federal elections held in Texas.