Rules
Adopted
ADOPTED RULES
At its August 15, 2008, meeting, the Texas Ethics Commission voted to adopt the following rules.
Lobby Entity Registration
Text of Adopted Rules
The new language is italicized.
Chapter 34. REGULATION OF LOBBYISTS
Subchapter B. REGISTRATION REQUIRED
§ 34.45. Entity Registration
(a) An entity that is required to register under Government Code, § 305.003, and this chapter may nonetheless avoid registration if all activity otherwise reportable by the entity is reported by one or more individual registrants in accordance with § 34.65 and § 34.85 of this title (relating to Compensation Reported by Lobby Firm Employee and Individual Reporting Expenditure by Entity).
(b) An entity that avoids registration under subsection (a) of this section becomes subject to Government Code, § 305.024 on the earlier of the date the entity makes the expenditure that would have required the entity to register as a lobbyist or the date the entity receives, or is entitled to receive compensation or reimbursement that would have required the entity to register as a lobbyist.
(c) Registration by an entity does not relieve any individual of the requirement to register if that individual meets one of the registration thresholds in Government Code, § 305.003.
Subchapter C. COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION FORM
§ 34.65. Compensation Reported by Lobby Firm Employee
(a) An individual registrant employed, reimbursed, or retained by a business entity that receives compensation and/or reimbursement for lobby activity is required to report all compensation and/or reimbursement paid to the entity for lobby activity by that individual.
(b) An individual registrant employed, reimbursed, or retained by a business entity that receives compensation and/or reimbursement for lobby activity may also report compensation and/or reimbursement paid to the entity for lobby activity by one or more other persons if the entity requests that the individual do so in order for the entity to avoid registration.
(c) The individual registrant shall report the compensation by the date on which the entity, if registered, would have been required to report it. The individual registrant shall indicate on a registration or amended registration, as applicable, that he has reported compensation and/or reimbursement paid to an entity for lobby activity by one or more persons other than the registrant.
Subchapter D. LOBBY ACTIVITY REPORTS
§ 34.85. Individual Reporting Expenditure by Entity
(a) An individual registrant may report an expenditure made by a lobby entity if the entity requests that the individual do so in order for the entity to avoid registration; and
(1) the entity makes the expenditure in order for the individual to act on the entity’s behalf to communicate directly with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action; or (2) the entity compensates or reimburses the individual to act on behalf of the entity or on behalf of the entity’s clients to communicate directly with a member of the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action. (b) The individual registrant shall report the expenditure by the date on which the entity, if registered, would have been required to report it. The individual registrant shall indicate on a lobby activity report that he or she has reported expenditures made by an entity and indicate the specific amount reported on behalf of the entity. (c) For purposes of Government Code, § 305.0021(b), an expenditure made by an entity under subsection (a) of this section, is not a joint expenditure for purposes of Government Code, § 305.0021(b) if the entity makes the entirety of the expenditure at issue. (d) In this provision “lobby entity” means a corporation, association, firm, partnership, committee, club, organization, or other group of persons voluntarily acting in concert that meets one of the registration thresholds in Government Code, § 305.003. |
Contents of Sworn Complaints
Text of Adopted Rule
The new language is italicized.
Chapter 12. SWORN COMPLAINTS
Subchapter B. FILING AND INITIAL PROCESSING OF A COMPLAINT
§ 12.57. Contents of a Complaint
(a) In addition to the contents set out in Government Code section 571.122, a complaint must include the following information:
(1) the telephone number of the complainant;
(2) the mailing address of each respondent; and
(3) if known to the complainant, the telephone number of each respondent.
(b) A complaint must include the position and title of a respondent only if the alleged violation is related to the position or title of the respondent.
Candidate for State Chair
Text of Adopted Rule
The new language is italicized.
Chapter 20. REPORTING POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Subchapter J. REPORTS BY A CANDIDATE FOR STATE OR COUNTY PARTY CHAIR
§ 20.577. Reporting Schedule for a Candidate for State Chair
(a) A candidate for state chair of a political party is required to file only the reports listed in this section and is not required to file any other reports required by candidates for public office under Subchapter C of this chapter (relating to Reporting Requirements for a Candidate).
(b) A candidate for state chair of a political party is required to file semiannual reports as provided by this subsection.
(1) One semiannual report is due no earlier than July 1 and no later than July 15.
(A) The period covered by a report under this paragraph begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:
(i) January 1;
(ii) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter; or
(iii) the day the state chair’s campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the first report filed under this subchapter.
(B) The period covered by the report under this paragraph ends on June 30.
(2) One semiannual report is due no earlier than January 1 and no later than January 15.
(A) The period covered by a report under this paragraph begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:
(i) July 1;
(ii) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter; or
(iii) the day the state chair’s campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the first report filed under this subchapter.
(c) A candidate for state chair of a political party shall also file the following reports.
(1) A candidate for state chair of a political party shall file a report not earlier than the 39th day before the convening of the state convention and not later than the 30th day before the convening of the state convention. The report shall cover the period that begins on either the day the candidate filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed, as applicable, and ends on the 40th day before the convening.
(2) A candidate for state chair of a political party shall file a report not earlier than the ninth day before the convening of the state convention and not later than the eighth day before the convening of the state convention. The report must cover the period that begins on either the day the candidate filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed, as applicable, and ends on the 10th day before the convening.
(d) A candidate for state chair of a political party who expects no further reportable activity in connection with his or her candidacy may file a final report at any time in accordance with § 20.229 of this title (relating to Final Report) and § 20.231 of this title (relating to Contents of Final Report).
(e) A former candidate for state chair of a political party who retains unexpended political contributions, unexpended interest or other income from political contributions, or assets purchased with political contributions at the time of filing a final report is subject to the requirements of §§ 20.233, 20.235, 20.237, 20.239, 20.241, and 20.243 of this title (relating to Reporting Requirements for a Candidate).