SB2781 - Relating to the imposition of civil penalties for certain violations with respect to political contributions and expenditures made by certain persons who engage in lobbying activities.

      S.B. No. 2781         AN ACT   relating to the imposition of civil penalties for certain   violations with respect to political contributions and   expenditures made by certain persons who engage in lobbying   activities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 253.006, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 253.006.  CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES BY   LOBBYISTS RESTRICTED.   (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of   law, a person required to register under Chapter 305, Government   Code, may not knowingly make or authorize a political contribution   or political expenditure that is a political contribution to   another candidate, officeholder, or political committee, or direct   campaign expenditure, from political contributions accepted by:                (1)  the person as a candidate or officeholder;                (2)  a specific-purpose committee for the purpose of   supporting the person as a candidate or assisting the person as an   officeholder; or                (3)  a political committee that accepted a political   contribution from a source described by Subdivision (1) or (2)   during the two-year period immediately before the date the   political contribution or expenditure was made.           (b)     A person who violates this section is subject to a civil   penalty in an amount not to exceed twice the amount of the political   contribution or political expenditure made or authorized in   violation of this section.          SECTION 2.  Section 253.007, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:           (d)     A person who violates this section is subject to a civil   penalty in an amount not to exceed twice the amount of all political   contributions or political expenditures described by Subsection   (b) made or authorized by the person in the two years preceding the   date on which the activities in violation of this section occurred.          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter   253, Election Code, apply only to a violation that occurs on or   after the effective date of this Act. A violation that occurs   before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in   effect on the date the violation occurred, and the former law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2781 passed the Senate on   May 8, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2781 passed the House on   May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 108, Nays 27, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor