Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that limits how funding is used to administer elections in the state by capping private donations made to county officials used to run elections to $1,000 per donor unless otherwise approved by the secretary of state, governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker.

Highlights:

• Specifies that unless given written consent from the Secretary of State a county election commission shall be prohibited from accepting contributions of $1,000 or more from the following individuals to perform the functions of administering an election, including (Sec. 1):

• A private individual;

• A business entity including a: or

• Corporation;

• Partnership; or

• Trust;

• Another third party.

• Exempts the acceptance of food or beverages to election workers during the administration of an election from the aforementioned prohibitions (Sec. 1).

• Requires the secretary of state to ensure that any gift, grant, or donation accepted to perform the function of administering an election be equitably distributed throughout the state based on the percentage of the population of each county (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that in order for the secretary of state to provide written consent for county election commissions to accept donations over $1,000 they first must consult with the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on the proposed donation and they all unanimously agree (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that limits how funding is used to administer elections in the state by capping private donations made to county officials used to run elections to $1,000 per donor unless otherwise approved by the secretary of state, governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker.

Highlights:

• Specifies that unless given written consent from the Secretary of State a county election commission shall be prohibited from accepting contributions of $1,000 or more from the following individuals to perform the functions of administering an election, including (Sec. 1):

• A private individual;

• A business entity including a: or

• Corporation;

• Partnership; or

• Trust;

• Another third party.

• Exempts the acceptance of food or beverages to election workers during the administration of an election from the aforementioned prohibitions (Sec. 1).

• Requires the secretary of state to ensure that any gift, grant, or donation accepted to perform the function of administering an election be equitably distributed throughout the state based on the percentage of the population of each county (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that in order for the secretary of state to provide written consent for county election commissions to accept donations over $1,000 they first must consult with the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on the proposed donation and they all unanimously agree (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text