Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits lawmakers in Texas from accepting campaign donations while absent from an ongoing legislative session.

Highlights:

• Defines “impeding absence" as an unexcused absence by a member of the legislature during a session in which the member is outside of the state (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits legislators from accepting political contributions or making political expenditures during or in preparation for an impeding absence during the legislative session, commonly known as ‘breaking quorum’ (Sec. 1). 

• Requires legislators caught violating this new bill to pay a maximum $5000 fine (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect 91 days after passage, and does not apply to any political contribution or expenditure made prior to its effective date (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits lawmakers in Texas from accepting campaign donations while absent from an ongoing legislative session.

Highlights:

• Defines “impeding absence" as an unexcused absence by a member of the legislature during a session in which the member is outside of the state (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits legislators from accepting political contributions or making political expenditures during or in preparation for an impeding absence during the legislative session, commonly known as ‘breaking quorum’ (Sec. 1). 

• Requires legislators caught violating this new bill to pay a maximum $5000 fine (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect 91 days after passage, and does not apply to any political contribution or expenditure made prior to its effective date (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text