TexasLegislators absent to block sessions face limits on political money
During a defined absence meant to block legislative action, lawmakers and supporting committees would face limits on political money and possible court penalties.
What it does
During a defined absence from Texas meant to block legislative action, members and supporting committees could not knowingly accept contributions above a daily limit or pay for travel, food, or lodging.
A person who violates these restrictions could face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per contribution or expenditure after notice and a court hearing.
Argument forCourt enforcement could discourage lawmakers and their supporting committees from using campaign money to sustain an absence that blocks legislative work.
Argument againstThe rules could expose members and committees to separate penalties for each transaction and require quick legal responses during a legislative dispute.
More detail
A legislator, supporting committee, or legislative caucus may not knowingly accept certain political contributions or pay for certain absence-related expenses. This applies during an impeding absence: an unexcused absence from a legislative session while the member is outside Texas to block the member's house, after the house has ordered attendance, arrest, and civil warrants, and before the member receives leave or returns. Contributions from one person may not exceed the Texas Ethics Commission's daily per diem for each day of a regular or special session. The prohibited spending covers travel, food, or lodging connected with the member's impeding absence. A refused contribution received during the absence must be returned to the contributor within five days. A mailed or carrier-delivered contribution is not treated as received during the absence if it was properly sent before the absence began. The restrictions apply to contributions accepted and expenditures made on or after the Act's effective date, and only during an impeding absence.
A district court would decide whether a violation occurred and could impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each prohibited contribution or expenditure. The penalty applies to a person who accepts a prohibited contribution or makes a prohibited expenditure during an impeding absence. A member of the absent member's legislative house may file facts suggesting that a violation likely occurred. The chamber's presiding officer must certify the filing to the proper district court. The court must give notice and require the person to explain why the conduct was not a violation. The court must hear both the originating legislative house and the person before deciding the case. The district court must issue its notice and show-cause order within 72 hours after receiving the certified filing.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Sep 17Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Latest
- Sep 17Signed by the Governor Greg AbbottBecame Law
- Sep 4Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 4Signed in the SenateMajor
- Sep 4Signed in the HouseMajor
- Sep 4Reported enrolledMinor
- Sep 4Senate passage reportedMajor
- Sep 4Record vote
- Sep 4PassedPassed Senate
- Sep 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Sep 4Laid before the SenateMinor
- Sep 3Record vote
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 3Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd readingMinor
- Sep 3Record vote
- Sep 3Rules suspended-Regular order of business
- Sep 3Printing rule suspended
- Sep 3Committee report printed and distributed
- Sep 3Reported favorably w/o amendmentsMinor
- Sep 3Vote taken in committee
- Sep 3Testimony taken in committee
- Sep 3Considered in public hearing
- Sep 3Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Sep 3Co-sponsor authorized
- Sep 2Record vote
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded adoption of amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded adoption of amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded suspend Senate Rule 11.10(a), Senate Rule 11.18(a), and Senate Rule 11.19 in order that the Committee on State Affairs might meet at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow in the Betty King Committee Room, 2E.20, and consider HB 18. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 2Posting rule suspended
- Sep 2Referred to State AffairsMinor
- Sep 2Read first timeMinor
- Sep 2Received from the HouseMinor
- Sep 2Reported engrossed
- Sep 2Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Sep 2Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2PassedPassed House
- Sep 2Read 3rd timeMinor
- Sep 2Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Passed to engrossment as amendedMajor
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Amendment adopted as amendedMajor
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment withdrawnMajor
- Sep 2Point of order withdrawn (amendment)Major
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment offered
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment fails of adoptionMinor
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment fails of adoptionMinor
- Sep 2Point of order withdrawn (amendment)Major
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Amendment amendedMinor
- Sep 2Point of order overruled (amendment)
- Sep 2Point of order withdrawn (amendment)Major
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment offered
- Sep 2Point of order sustained (amendment)
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment offered
- Sep 2Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment fails of adoptionMinor
- Sep 2Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Sep 2Record vote
- Sep 2Amendment to amendment fails of adoptionMinor
- Sep 2Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Sep 2Read 2nd timeMinor
- Sep 2Placed on General State Calendar
- Aug 28Considered in Calendars
- Aug 28Committee report sent to Calendars
- Aug 28Committee report distributed
- Aug 28Comte report filed with Committee CoordinatorMinor
- Aug 28Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)Minor
- Aug 28Considered in formal meeting
- Aug 25Left pending in committee
- Aug 25Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Aug 25Considered in public hearing
- Aug 21Referred to ElectionsMinor
- Aug 21Read first timeMinor
- Aug 21FiledIntroduced
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