86R976 ATP-F
 
  By: Davis of Harris H.B. No. 781
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibiting political contributions and political
  expenditures made by certain persons with public funds; creating a
  criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 253, Election Code, is
  amended by adding Section 253.006 to read as follows:
         Sec. 253.006.  UNLAWFUL USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR
  CONTRIBUTIONS OR EXPENDITURES. (a)  An officer or employee of a
  political subdivision may not spend or authorize the spending of
  public funds to make a political contribution or a political
  expenditure.
         (b)  An officer or employee of a political subdivision may
  not directly or indirectly employ a person to use public funds to
  make an unlawful political contribution or political expenditure.
         (c)  A person who violates Subsection (a) or (b) commits an
  offense. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. 
         SECTION 2.  Section 253.006, Election Code, as added by this
  Act, applies only to a political contribution or a political
  expenditure made on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.