Commission Rules Chapter 20 PartII

(a) A specific-purpose committee may not accept political contributions exceeding $910 and may not make or authorize political expenditures exceeding $910 without filing a campaign treasurer appointment with the appropriate filing authority.

(b) A specific-purpose committee may not knowingly make or authorize campaign contributions or campaign expenditures exceeding $910 to support or oppose a candidate in a primary or general election for an office listed below unless the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed not later than the 30th day before the appropriate election day:

(1) a statewide office;

(2) a seat in the state legislature;

(3) a seat on the State Board of Education;

(4) a multi-county district office; or

(5) a judicial district office filled by voters of only one county.

§20.303. Appointment of Campaign Treasurer

(a) A specific-purpose committee may appoint a campaign treasurer at any time before exceeding the thresholds described in §20.301(a) of this title (relating to Thresholds for Campaign Treasurer Appointment).

(b) After a specific-purpose committee appoints a campaign treasurer, the campaign treasurer must comply with all the requirements of this subchapter, even if the committee has not yet exceeded $910 in political contributions or expenditures.

(c) With the exception of the campaign treasurer appointment, the individual named as a committee's campaign treasurer is legally responsible for filing all reports of the specific-purpose committee, including a report following the termination of his or her appointment as campaign treasurer.

§20.305. Appointing an Assistant Campaign Treasurer

(a) A specific-purpose committee for supporting or opposing a candidate for an office specified by §252.005(1), Election Code or a statewide or district measure may appoint an assistant campaign treasurer by written appointment filed with the commission.

(b) A statewide measure is a measure to be voted on by all eligible voters in the state.

(d) The assistant campaign treasurer has the same authority as the campaign treasurer. However, if the campaign treasurer appointment is terminated the assistant campaign treasurer no longer has authority to act as the campaign treasurer.

(e) The campaign treasurer, not the assistant campaign treasurer, is liable for any penalties assessed by the commission for late reports or incomplete reports or for failure to file a report.

(f) Section 20.315 of this title (relating to Termination of Campaign Treasurer Appointment) and §20.317 of this title (relating to Termination Report) apply to the appointment and removal of an assistant campaign treasurer.

§20.307. Name of Specific-Purpose Committee

The name of a specific-purpose committee that supports a candidate for or an officeholder of an office specified by § 252.005(1), Election Code must include the full name of that candidate or officeholder.

§20.309. Contents of Specific-Purpose Committee Campaign Treasurer Appointment

A campaign treasurer appointment for a specific-purpose committee shall include the following information:

(1) the full name of the specific-purpose committee;

(2) the address of the specific-purpose committee;

(3) the full name of the person appointing the campaign treasurer;

(4) the following information for the individual appointed campaign treasurer and, if an assistant campaign treasurer is appointed, for that individual also:

(A) the individual's full name;

(B) the individual's residence or business street address;

(C) if the individual's mailing address is different from the street address provided, the mailing address for the individual; and

(D) the individual's telephone number;

(5) for each candidate supported or opposed by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) the full name of the candidate;

(B) the office sought by the candidate; and

(6) for each officeholder assisted by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) the full name of the officeholder;

(B) the office held by the officeholder; and

(7) for each measure supported or opposed by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) a description of the measure; and

(B) an indication whether the specific-purpose committee supports or opposes the measure; and

(8) the signature of the individual appointed campaign treasurer.

§20.311. Updating Certain Information on the Campaign Treasurer Appointment

(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, if there is a change in any information that is required to be reported in a specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer appointment, the campaign treasurer must notify the filing authority of the change no later than the 10th day after the date on which the change occurs.

(b) The campaign treasurer must report a change in the name of or office sought by a candidate whom the specific-purpose committee supports or opposes within 24 hours of the change.

§20.313. Converting to a General-Purpose Committee

(a) A specific-purpose committee that changes its operation and becomes a general-purpose committee is subject to the requirements applicable to a general-purpose committee as of the date it files its campaign treasurer appointment as a general-purpose committee with the commission.

(b) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee that becomes a general-purpose committee must deliver written notice of its change in status to the authority with whom the committee was required to file as a specific-purpose committee.

(c) The notice required under subsection (b) of this section is due no later than the next deadline for filing a report under this subchapter that:

(1) occurs after the committee's change in status; and

(2) would be applicable to the political committee if it were still a specific-purpose committee.

(d) The notice must state that future reports will be filed with the commission.

(e) The notice required under subsection (b) of this section is in addition to the requirement that the new general-purpose committee file a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission before it exceeds $910 in political expenditures or $910 in political contributions as a general-purpose committee.

§20.315. Termination of Campaign Treasurer Appointment

(a) A specific-purpose committee may terminate a campaign treasurer appointment at any time by:

(1) notifying the filing authority in writing of the termination;

(2) filing a campaign treasurer appointment for a successor campaign treasurer; or

(3) filing a dissolution report.

(b) A committee's campaign treasurer may resign by immediately notifying both the appointing authority and the filing authority in writing.

(c) Except as provided by subsection (e) of this section, if the campaign treasurer resigns or otherwise leaves the position, the termination is effective on the date the committee actually receives the notice or on the date the filing authority actually receives the notice, whichever is later.

(d) Section 20.23 of this title (relating to Timeliness of Action by Mail) does not apply to subsection (c) of this section.

(e) For purposes of the termination report required by §20.317 of this title (relating to Termination Report), a campaign treasurer's resignation is effective on the date the treasurer resigns as provided by subsection (b) of this section.

(f) Section 20.23 of this title (relating to Timeliness of Action by Mail) applies to subsection (e) of this section.

(g) A termination of a specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer appointment and the filing of the termination report by themselves do not dissolve the specific-purpose committee. A specific-purpose committee can be dissolved only by filing a dissolution report.

(h) For purposes of this section, the appropriate filing authority for a campaign treasurer appointment of a specific-purpose committee created to support or oppose a measure on the issuance of bonds by a school district is the secretary of the school board (or the presiding officer if the school board has no secretary), except that the commission is the appropriate filing authority for a dissolution report.

§20.317. Termination Report

(a) If the campaign treasurer appointment of a specific-purpose committee is terminated, the campaign treasurer whose appointment was terminated shall file a termination report that contains the information listed in §20.331 of this title (relating to Contents of Specific-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures).

(b) A termination report is not required if the termination occurs on the last day of a reporting period under this subchapter and the campaign treasurer files a report for that period as provided by this subchapter.

(c) A termination report covers a period that begins on the day after the period covered by the last report of contributions and expenditures required to be filed under this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report or a special session report) or the day the campaign treasurer appointment was filed (if the committee has not yet filed a report of contributions and expenditures). The period covered by the report ends on the day the termination of the campaign treasurer appointment is effective.

(d) The report shall be filed not later than the 10th day after the date the termination of the campaign treasurer appointment is effective.

(e) Activity reported in a termination report is not required to be included in any subsequent report of the specific-purpose committee that is filed under this subchapter.

§20.319. Notice to Candidate or Officeholder

(a) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee that accepts political contributions or makes political expenditures for a candidate or officeholder shall notify the affected candidate or officeholder of that fact in accordance with this section.

(b) This section does not apply to a specific-purpose committee that has not appointed a campaign treasurer in accordance with §20.303(b) of this title (relating to Appointment of Campaign Treasurer).

(1) the full name of the specific-purpose committee;

(2) the address of the specific-purpose committee;

(3) the full name of the specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(4) the address of the specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(5) a statement that the committee is a specific-purpose committee; and

(6) a statement that the specific-purpose committee has accepted political contributions or has made political expenditures on behalf of the candidate or officeholder.

(d) The notice required by this section shall be delivered no later than the end of the reporting period in which the reportable activity occurs.

§20.321. Involvement in More Than One Election by Certain Specific-Purpose Committees

A specific-purpose committee that supports or opposes more than one candidate or measure may be required to file reports covering overlapping periods. If so, the committee is only required to report activity occurring during the period of overlap on the first report on which the activity is required to be reported.

§20.323. Semiannual Reports

(a) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee shall file semiannual reports as provided by this section.

(b) One semiannual report is due no earlier than July 1 and no later than July 15.

(1) The period covered by a report under this subsection begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:

(A) January 1;

(B) the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the committee's first report filed under this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report or a special session report); or

(C) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report or a special session report).

(2) The period covered by a report under this subsection ends on June 30.

(1) The period covered by a report under this subsection begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:

(A) July 1;

(C) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report or a special session report).

(2) The period covered by a report under this subsection ends on December 31.

§20.325. Pre-election Reports

(a) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee that supports or opposes a candidate or a measure in an election shall file pre-election reports as provided by subsections (d) and (e) of this section.

(b) For purposes of this section, supporting or opposing a candidate or a measure in an election means accepting political contributions or making political expenditures to support or oppose the candidate or measure.

(c) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee that has declared an intention to file under the modified schedule in accordance with § 20.329 of this title (relating to Modified Reporting) and that remains eligible to file under the modified schedule is not required to file pre-election reports.

(d) A specific-purpose committee that supports or opposes a candidate or measure in an election during the reporting period set out in the next sentence of this subsection must file a report under this subsection. The report required by this subsection covers a period that begins on either the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report (other than a special pre-election report or special session report) filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and ends on the 40th day before the election. The report due under this subsection must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the 30th day before the election.

(e) A specific-purpose committee that was required to file a pre-election report under subsection (d) of this section must file a report under this subsection by the eighth day before the election. The report shall cover a period that begins on the 39th day before the election and ends on the 10th day before the election. The report must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the eighth day before the election.

(f) A committee that was not required to file a report under subsection (d) of this section is required to file a report by the eighth day before the election if the committee supports or opposes a candidate or measure during the period that begins on the 39th day before the election and ends on the 10th day before the election. A report required under this subsection shall cover a period that begins on either the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report (other than a special pre-election report or special session report) filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and ends on the 10th day before the election.

§20.327. Runoff Report

(a) A specific-purpose committee that supports or opposes a candidate or measure in a runoff election shall file a runoff report, except as provided by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) A specific-purpose committee that has declared an intention to file under the modified schedule in accordance with §20.329 of this title (relating to Modified Reporting) and that remains eligible to file under the modified schedule is not required to file a runoff report.

(c) A runoff report must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the eighth day before the runoff election.

(d) A runoff report covers the period that begins on the ninth day before the date of the main election and ends on the 10th day before the runoff.

(e) For purposes of this section, supporting or opposing a candidate or a measure in an election means accepting political contributions or making political expenditures to support or oppose the candidate or measure.

§20.329. Modified Reporting

(a) A specific-purpose committee that would otherwise be required to file pre-election reports and a runoff report, if necessary, may choose to file under the modified schedule if the committee does not intend to accept more than $930 in political contributions or make more than $930 in political expenditures (excluding filing fees) in connection with any election in an election cycle.

(b) Under the modified schedule, the campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee is not required to file pre-election reports or a runoff report.

(c) To select modified filing, a specific-purpose committee must file a declaration of the committee's intent not to accept more than $930 in political contributions or make more than $930 in political expenditures (excluding filing fees) in connection with the election. The declaration must include a statement that the committee understands that if either one of those limits is exceeded, the committee's campaign treasurer will be required to file pre-election reports and, if necessary, a runoff report.

(d) A declaration under subsection (c) of this section is filed with the committee's campaign treasurer appointment.

(e) To file under the modified schedule, a specific-purpose committee must file the declaration required under subsection (c) of this section no later than the 30th day before the first election to which the declaration applies. A declaration filed under subsection (c) of this section is valid for one election cycle only.

(f) Except as provided by subsection (g) of this section, a specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer must file pre-election reports and, if necessary, a runoff report under the schedule set out in §20.325 of this title (relating to Pre-election Reports) and §20.327 of this title (relating to Runoff Report) if the committee exceeds either of the $930 limits for modified reporting.

(g) If a specific-purpose committee exceeds either of the $930 limits for modified reporting after the 30th day before the election, the committee's campaign treasurer must file a report not later than 48 hours after exceeding the limit.

(1) The period covered by a 48-hour report shall begin either on the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed (if it is the committee's first report of contributions and expenditures) or on the first day after the period covered by the last report (other than a special pre-election report or special session report) filed under this subchapter, as applicable.

(2) The period covered by a 48-hour report shall continue through the day the committee exceeded one of the limits for modified reporting.

(h) A specific-purpose committee that exceeds either of the $930 limits for modified reporting after the 30th day before the election and on or before the 10th day before the election must file a report under §20.325(f) of this title (relating to Pre-election Reports), in addition to any required special pre-election reports.

§20.331. Contents of Specific-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures

Semiannual reports, pre-election reports, and runoff reports must cover reportable activity during the reporting period and must include the following information:

(1) the full name of the specific-purpose committee;

(2) the address of the specific-purpose committee;

(3) the full name of the specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(4) the residence or business street address of the specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(5) the committee campaign treasurer's telephone number;

(6) the identity and date of the election for which the report is filed, if applicable;

(7) for each candidate supported or opposed by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) the full name of the candidate;

(B) the office sought by the candidate; and

(8) for each officeholder assisted by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) the full name of the officeholder;

(B) the office held by the officeholder; and

(9) for each measure supported or opposed by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) a description of the measure; and

(B) an indication of whether the committee supports or opposes the measure;

(10) for each political expenditure by the committee that was made as a political contribution to a candidate, officeholder, or another political committee and that was returned to the specific-purpose committee during the reporting period:

(A) the amount returned;

(B) the full name of the person to whom the expenditure was originally made;

(D) the date the expenditure was returned to the specific-purpose committee;

(11) on a separate page, the following information for each expenditure from political contributions made to a business in which the candidate has a participating interest of more than 10%, holds a position on the governing body of the business, or serves as an officer of the business:

(A) the full name of the business to which the expenditure was made;

(B) the address of the business to which the expenditure was made;

(D) the purpose of the expenditure; and

(E) the amount of the expenditure;

(12) if the specific-purpose committee supports or opposes measures exclusively, for each contribution accepted from a labor organization or corporation, as defined by § 20.1 of this title (relating to Definitions):

(A) the date each contribution was accepted;

(B) the full name of the corporation or labor organization making the contribution;

(D) the amount of the contribution; and

(E) a description of any in-kind contribution;

(13) for each person from whom the specific-purpose committee accepted a political contribution (other than a pledge, loan, or a guarantee of a loan) of more than $90 in value or political contributions (other than pledges, loans, or guarantees of loans) that total more than $90 in value:

(A) the full name of the person;

(B) the address of the person;

(D) the date each contribution was accepted; and

(E) a description of any in-kind contribution;

(14) for each person from whom the specific-purpose committee accepted a pledge or pledges to provide more than $90 in money or to provide goods or services worth more than $90:

(A) the full name of the person making a pledge;

(B) the address of the person making a pledge;

(D) the date each pledge was accepted; and

(E) a description of any goods or services pledged;

(15) the total of all pledges accepted during the period for $90 and less from a person, except those reported under paragraph (14) of this section;

(16) for each person making a loan or loans to the specific-purpose committee for campaign or officeholder purposes if the total amount loaned by the person during the period is more than $90:

(A) the full name of the person or financial institution making the loan;

(B) the address of the person or financial institution making the loan;

(D) the date of the loan;

(E) the interest rate;

(F) the maturity date;

(G) the collateral for the loan, if any; and

(H) if the loan has guarantors:

(i) the full name of each guarantor;

(ii) the address of each guarantor;

(iii) the principal occupation of each guarantor;

(iv) the name of the employer of each guarantor; and

(v) the amount guaranteed by each guarantor;

(17) the total amount of loans accepted during the period for $90 and less from persons other than financial institutions engaged in the business of making loans for more than one year, except those reported under paragraph (16) of this section;

(18) for political expenditures made during the reporting period that total more than $190 to a single payee:

(A) the full name of the person to whom each expenditure was made;

(B) the address of the person to whom the expenditure was made;

(D) the purpose of the expenditure; and

(E) the amount of the expenditure;

(19) for each direct campaign expenditure benefiting a candidate or officeholder, except for a direct campaign expenditure made by a committee supporting only one candidate or officeholder:

(A) the name of the candidate or officeholder; and

(B) the office sought or held by the candidate or officeholder;

(20) for each non-political expenditure made from political contributions, other than expenditures reported under paragraph (11) of this section:

(A) the date of each expenditure;

(B) the full name of the person to whom the expenditure was made;

(D) the purpose of the expenditure; and

(E) the amount of the expenditure;

(21) for each political contribution accepted from an out-of-state political committee, the information required by § 22.7 of this title (relating to Contribution from Out-of-State Committee);

(22) any credit, interest, rebate, refund, reimbursement, or return of a deposit fee resulting from the use of a political contribution or an asset purchased with a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(23) any proceeds of the sale of an asset purchased with a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(24) any other gain from a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(25) any investment purchased with a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(26) the full name and address of each person from whom an amount described by paragraph (22), (23), (24), or (25) of this section is received, the date the amount is received, and the purpose for which the amount is received;

(27) the following total amounts:

(A) the total principal amount of all outstanding loans as of the last day of the reporting period;

(B) the total amount or an itemized listing of political contributions (other than pledges, loans, or guarantees of loans) of $90 and less;

(D) the total amount or an itemized listing of the political expenditures of $190 and less; and

(E) the total amount of all political expenditures; and

(28) an affidavit, executed by the campaign treasurer, stating: "I swear, or affirm, that the accompanying report is true and correct and includes all information required to be reported by me under Title 15, Election Code."

§20.333. Special Pre-Election Report by Certain Specific-Purpose Committees

(a) As provided by subsection (b) of this section, certain specific-purpose committees must file reports about certain contributions accepted during the period that begins on the ninth day before an election and ends at noon on the day before an election. Reports under this section are known as “special pre-election” reports.

(b) A campaign treasurer for a specific-purpose committee for supporting or opposing a candidate for an office specified by §252.005(1), Election Code, that, during the period described in subsection (a) of this section, accepts one or more political contributions from a person that in the aggregate exceed $1,860 must file special pre-election reports.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee must file a report so that the report is received by the commission no later than the first business day after the committee accepts a contribution from a person that triggers the requirement to file the special pre-election report.

(d) If, during the reporting period for special pre-election contributions, a committee receives additional contributions from a person whose previous contribution or contributions have triggered the requirement to file a special pre-election report during the period, the campaign treasurer for the committee must file an additional special pre-election report for each such contribution. Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, each such special pre-election report must be filed so that it is received by the commission no later than the first business day after the committee accepts the contribution.

(e) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee must file a special pre-election report for each person whose contribution or contributions made during the period for special pre-election reports exceed the threshold for special pre-election reports.

(f) A campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee must also report contributions reported on a special pre-election report on the next semiannual, pre-election, or runoff report filed, as applicable.

§20.335. Form and Contents of Special Pre-Election Report by a Specific-Purpose Committee Supporting or Opposing Certain Candidates

(a) A special pre-election report shall be filed electronically as required by §254.036, Election Code, unless a report is exempt from electronic filing. A special pre-election report that is exempt from electronic filing under §254.036(c), Election Code, is not required to be on a form prescribed by the commission.

(b) A special pre-election report shall include the following information:

(1) the full name of the specific-purpose committee;

(2) the full name of the campaign treasurer;

(3) the name of the person making a contribution or contributions that triggered the requirement to file a special pre-election report;

(4) the address of the person making the contribution or contributions;

(5) the amount of each contribution;

(6) the date each contribution was accepted; and

(7) a description of any in-kind contribution.

§20.337. Special Session Reports by Specific-Purpose Committees

(a) A campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a candidate for or holder of a statewide office or the legislature that accepts a political contribution during the period that begins on the date the governor signs a proclamation calling a special legislative session and ends on the date of final adjournment must file a special session report.

(b) A special session report must be filed with the commission not later than the 30th day after the date of final adjournment of the special session.

(c) A special session report is a report of contributions only, not expenditures. Expenditures made during the period covered by a special session report are required to be reported in the next applicable sworn report of contributions and expenditures.

(d) Contributions reported in a special session report are required to be reported in the next applicable sworn report of contributions and expenditures.

(e) A determination to accept or refuse a political contribution received during the period covered by a special session report shall be made no later than the third day after the date the contribution is received.

(f) A contribution that is refused under subsection (e) of this section must be returned no later than the 30th day after the date of final adjournment. A contribution not returned by that date will be deemed accepted.

(g) A specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer is not required to file a separate special session report if another report is due no later than the 10th day after the date a report required under this section would be due.

§20.339. Contents of the Special Session Report

A report required by §20.337 of this title (relating to Special Session Reports by Specific-Purpose Committees) shall include the following information:

(1) the specific-purpose committee's full name;

(2) the specific-purpose committee's address;

(3) the committee campaign treasurer's full name;

(4) the campaign treasurer's residence or business street address;

(5) for each candidate supported or opposed by the specific-purpose committee:

(A) the full name of the candidate;

(B) the office sought by the candidate; and

(6) for each officeholder supported or opposed by the committee:

(A) the full name of the officeholder;

(B) the office held by the officeholder; and

(7) the date each contribution was accepted;

(8) the full name of each person making a contribution;

(9) the address of each person making a contribution;

(10) the amount of each contribution accepted during the period;

(11) a description of any in-kind contribution; and

(12) an affidavit, executed by the campaign treasurer, stating: "I swear, or affirm, that the accompanying report is true and correct and includes all information required to be reported by me under Title 15, Election Code."

§20.341. Dissolution Report

(a) The campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose committee may file a dissolution report at any time that the committee expects no further reportable activity to occur.

(b) A dissolution report does not have to be filed by a designated deadline.

(1) relieves the campaign treasurer of the duty to file additional reports under this subchapter; and

(2) terminates the specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer appointment.

§20.343. Contents of Dissolution Report

A dissolution report must contain:

(1) the information described in §20.331 of this title (relating to Contents of Specific-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures); and

(2) the following sworn statement, signed by the specific-purpose committee's campaign treasurer, and properly notarized:

"I, the undersigned campaign treasurer, do not expect the occurrence of any further reportable activity by this specific-purpose committee for this or any other campaign or election for which reporting under the Election Code is required. I declare that all of the information required to be reported by me has been reported. I understand that designating a report as a dissolution report terminates the appointment of campaign treasurer. I further understand the circumstances in which the specific-purpose committee may not make or authorize political expenditures or accept political contributions without having an appointment of campaign treasurer on file."

Subchapter F: REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR A GENERAL-PURPOSE COMMITTEE

§20.401. Thresholds for Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a General-Purpose Committee

(a) A general-purpose committee may not accept political contributions exceeding $910 and may not make or authorize political expenditures exceeding $910 without filing a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission.

(b) Unless the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed not later than the 30th day before the appropriate election day, a general-purpose committee may not knowingly make or authorize campaign contributions or campaign expenditures exceeding $910 to support or oppose a candidate in a primary or general election for the following:

(1) a statewide office;

(2) a seat in the state legislature;

(3) a seat on the State20 Board of Education;

(4) a multi-county district office; or

(5) a judicial district office filled by voters of only one county.

§20.403. Reporting Requirements for Certain General-Purpose Committees

(a) A general-purpose committee that is established by a political party's county executive committee is subject to Subchapter I of this chapter (relating to Rules Applicable to a Political Party's County Executive Committee). Subchapter I of this chapter prevails over this subchapter in the case of conflict.

(b) A general-purpose committee that is the principal political committee of a political party is subject to Subchapter G of this chapter (relating to Rules Applicable to a Principal Political Committee of a Political Party). Subchapter G of this chapter prevails over this subchapter in the case of conflict.

(c) A general-purpose committee that supports or opposes a candidate for state chair of a political party is subject to Subchapter K of this chapter (relating to Reports by Political Committees Supporting or Opposing a Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party). Subchapter K of this chapter prevails over this subchapter in the case of conflict.

§20.405. Campaign Treasurer Appointment for a General-Purpose Political Committee

(a) A general-purpose committee may appoint a campaign treasurer at any time before exceeding the thresholds described in §20.401(a) of this title (relating to Thresholds for Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a General-Purpose Committee).

(b) After a general-purpose committee appoints a campaign treasurer, the campaign treasurer must comply with all the requirements of this subchapter, even if the committee has not yet exceeded $910 in political contributions or expenditures.

(c) With the exception of the campaign treasurer appointment, the individual named as a committee's campaign treasurer is legally responsible for filing all reports of the general-purpose committee, including a report following the termination of his or her appointment as campaign treasurer.

§20.407. Appointing an Assistant Campaign Treasurer

(a) A general-purpose committee may appoint an assistant campaign treasurer by written appointment filed with the commission.

(b) The assistant campaign treasurer has the same authority as the campaign treasurer. However, if the campaign treasurer appointment is terminated, the assistant campaign treasurer no longer has authority to act as the campaign treasurer.

(c) The campaign treasurer, not the assistant campaign treasurer, is liable for any penalties assessed by the commission for late reports or incomplete reports or for failure to file a report.

(d) Section 20.415 of this title (relating to Termination of Campaign Treasurer Appointment) and §20.417 of this title (relating to Termination Report) apply to the appointment and removal of an assistant campaign treasurer.

§20.409. Name of General-Purpose Committee

(a) The name of a general-purpose committee must include the full name of each corporation, labor organization, or other association or legal entity other than an individual that directly establishes, administers, or controls the general-purpose committee.

(b) A corporation, labor organization, or other association or legal entity that "directly establishes, administers, or controls" a general-purpose committee is one that has:

(1) the authority to actively participate in determining to whom the general-purpose committee makes political contributions or for what purposes the general-purpose committee makes political expenditures; or

(2) the authority to designate a person to a position of authority with the general-purpose committee, including that of an officer or director of the general-purpose committee.

(c) The name of an entity used in the name of a general-purpose committee may be a commonly recognized acronym by which the entity is known.

(d) The name of a general-purpose committee may not be the same as or deceptively similar to the name of any other general-purpose committee that has an active campaign treasurer appointment on file with the commission. The commission shall determine whether the name of a general-purpose political committee is in violation of this prohibition and shall immediately notify the campaign treasurer of the offending political committee of that determination. In determining whether the name of a general-purpose committee is the same as or deceptively similar to the name of any other general-purpose committee, the commission may be guided by Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 4, Chapter 79. The campaign treasurer of the political committee must file a name change with the commission not later than the 14th day after the date of notification.

(e) For purposes of subsection (d) of this section, a general-purpose committee does not have an active campaign treasurer appointment on file with the commission if the committee files a dissolution report under §254.159, Election Code, or the campaign treasurer appointment for the committee is terminated and more than one year has lapsed since the committee has filed another campaign treasurer appointment with the commission.

§20.411. Contents of General-Purpose Committee Campaign Treasurer Appointment

A campaign treasurer appointment for a general-purpose committee shall include the following information:

(1) the full name of the general-purpose committee, and, if the name is an acronym, the words the acronym represents;

(2) the address of the general-purpose committee;

(3) the full name of the person appointing the campaign treasurer;

(4) the following information for the individual appointed campaign treasurer and, if an assistant campaign treasurer is appointed, for that individual as well:

(A) the individual's full name;

(B) the individual's residence or business street address;

(C) if the individual's mailing address is different from the street address provided, the mailing address for the individual; and

(D) the individual's telephone number;

(5) one of the following:

(A) the full name and any acronym of the name that is used in the name of the general-purpose committee pursuant to §20.409 of this title (relating to Name of General-Purpose Committee), if applicable; or

(B) the full name of each person who determines to whom the general-purpose committee makes contributions; or

(6) the name of each other general-purpose committee to which the general-purpose committee intends to make political contributions;

(7) an indication whether the general-purpose committee will file under the regular reporting schedule pursuant to §§20.423, 20.425, and 20.427 of this title (relating to Semiannual Reports; Pre-election Reports; Runoff Report) or under the monthly schedule pursuant to §20.429 of this title (relating to the Option To File Monthly); and

(8) the signature of the individual appointed campaign treasurer.

§20.413. Updating Information on the Campaign Treasurer Appointment

(a) The campaign treasurer must notify the commission in writing of any change in the campaign treasurer's address no later than the 10th day after the date on which the change occurs.

appointment changes, excluding changes in the campaign treasurer's address, the campaign treasurer shall file a corrected appointment with the commission no later than the 30th day after the date the change occurs.

§20.415. Termination of Campaign Treasurer Appointment

(a) A general-purpose committee may terminate a campaign treasurer appointment at any time by:

(1) notifying the commission in writing of the termination;

(2) filing a campaign treasurer appointment for a successor campaign treasurer; or

(3) filing a dissolution report.

(b) A committee's campaign treasurer may resign by immediately notifying both the appointing authority and the filing authority in writing.

(c) If the campaign treasurer resigns or otherwise leaves the position, the termination is effective on the date the committee actually receives the notice or on the date the filing authority actually receives the notice, whichever is later. Section 20.23 of this title (relating to Timeliness of Action by Mail) does not apply to this subsection.

(d) For purposes of the termination report required by §20.417 of this title (relating to Termination Report), a campaign treasurer's resignation is effective on the date the treasurer resigns, as provided by subsection (b) of this section. Section 20.23 of this title (relating to Timeliness of Action by Mail) applies to this subsection.

(e) A termination of a general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer appointment and the filing of the termination report by themselves do not dissolve the general-purpose committee. A general-purpose committee can be dissolved only by filing a dissolution report with the commission.

§20.417. Termination Report

(a) If the campaign treasurer appointment of a general-purpose committee is terminated, the campaign treasurer whose appointment was terminated shall file a termination report that contains the information listed in §20.433 of this title (relating to Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures), except as provided by §20.434 of this title (relating to Alternate Reporting Requirements for Certain General-Purpose Committees).

(c) A termination report covers a period that begins on either the day after the period covered by the last report of contributions and expenditures required to be filed under this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report) or the day the campaign treasurer appointment was filed (if the committee has not yet filed a report of contributions and expenditures). The period covered by the report continues through the day the termination of the campaign treasurer appointment is effective.

(d) The report shall be filed not later than the 10th day after the date the termination of the campaign treasurer appointment is effective.

(e) Activity reported in a termination report is not required to be included in any subsequent report of the general-purpose committee that is filed under this subchapter.

§20.419. Converting to a Specific-Purpose Committee

(a) A general-purpose committee that changes its operation and becomes a specific-purpose committee is subject to the requirements applicable to a specific-purpose committee as of the date it files its campaign treasurer appointment as a specific-purpose committee.

(b) The campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee that changes its operation and becomes a specific-purpose committee shall deliver written notice of the change in status to the commission.

(d) The notice required by this section is due not later than the next deadline for filing a report under this subchapter that:

(1) occurs after the change in status; and

(2) would be applicable to the committee if it were still a general-purpose committee.

(e) As provided by §20.301 of this title (relating to Thresholds for Campaign Treasurer Appointment), a new specific-purpose committee involved in an election supporting or opposing a candidate for a statewide office, the state legislature, the State Board of Education, or a multi-county district office in a primary or general election may not accept political contributions exceeding $500 and may not make or authorize political expenditure exceeding $500 unless the committee's campaign treasurer appointment as a specific-purpose committee has been on file at least 30 days before the applicable election day.

§20.421. Notice to Candidate or Officeholder

(a) The campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee that accepts political contributions or makes political expenditures for a candidate or officeholder shall notify the affected candidate or officeholder in accordance with this section.

(b) This section does not apply to a general-purpose committee that has not appointed a campaign treasurer in accordance with §20.405 of this title (relating to Campaign Treasurer Appointment for a General-Purpose Political Committee).

(1) the full name of the general-purpose committee;

(2) the address of the general-purpose committee;

(3) the full name of the general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(4) the address of the general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(5) a statement that the committee is a general-purpose committee; and

(6) a statement that the general-purpose committee has accepted political contributions or has made political expenditures on behalf of the candidate or officeholder.

(d) The notice required by this section shall be delivered no later than the end of reporting period in which the reportable activity occurs.

§20.423. Semiannual Reports

(a) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, the campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee shall file semiannual reports as provided by this section.

(b) One semiannual report is due no earlier than July 1 and no later than July 15.

(1) The report due by July 15 shall cover a period that begins on either January 1, the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report), as applicable.

(2) The period covered by the report due on July 15 ends on June 30.

(1) The report due on January 15 shall cover a period that begins on either July 1, the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter (other than a special pre-election report), as applicable.

(2) The period covered by the report due on January 15 ends on December 31.

(d) A general-purpose committee that files monthly reports under §20.429 of this title (relating to Option To File Monthly) does not file under this section.

§20.425. Pre-election Reports

(a) A general-purpose committee that accepts political contributions or makes political expenditures in support of or in opposition to a candidate or measure to be voted on in an election shall file pre-election reports as provided by subsections (c) and (d) of this section.

(b) A general-purpose committee that files under §20.429 of this title (relating to Option To File Monthly) does not file under this section.

(c) The first pre-election report must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the 30th day before the election.

(1) A general-purpose committee that accepts a political contribution or makes a political expenditure to support or oppose a candidate or measure in the election during the period set out in paragraph (2) of this subsection must file a report under this subsection.

(2) The report covers a period that begins on either the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report (other than a special pre-election report) filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and ends on the 40th day before the election.

(d) The second pre-election report must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the eighth day before the election. The period covered by this report depends on whether the committee was required to file a report under subsection (c) of this section.

(1) A general-purpose committee that was required to file a pre-election report under subsection (c) of this section must file a report under this subsection by the eighth day before the election. The report shall cover a period that begins on the 39th day before the election and ends the 10th day before the election.

(2) A committee that was not required to file a report by the 30th day before the election is required to file a report by the eighth day before the election if the committee accepts a political contribution or makes a political expenditure to support or oppose a candidate or measure during the period that begins on the 39th day before the election and ends on the 10th day before the election.

(A) A report that is required to be filed under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall cover a period that begins on either the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report (other than a special pre-election report) filed under this subchapter, as applicable.

(B) The period covered by a report under paragraph (2) of this subsection ends on the 10th day before the election.

§20.427. Runoff Report

(a) A general-purpose committee that accepts political contributions or makes political expenditures to support or oppose a candidate or measure in a runoff election shall file a runoff report, except as provided by §20.429 of this title (relating to Option To File Monthly).

(b) A runoff report must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the eighth day before the runoff election.

(c) A runoff report covers the period that begins on the ninth day before the date of the main election and ends on the 10th day before the runoff.

§20.429. Option To File Monthly

(a) As an alternative to filing semiannual, pre-election, and runoff reports, a general-purpose committee may file monthly reports.

(b) A general-purpose committee that files on the monthly filing schedule must file special pre-election reports required by § 20.435 of this title (relating to Special Pre-Election Reports by Certain General-Purpose Committees).

(c) To be entitled to file monthly reports, the general-purpose committee must deliver written notice of its intent to file monthly to the commission.

(1) A general-purpose committee may file notice of its intent to file monthly at the time the committee files its campaign treasurer appointment.

(2) A general-purpose committee that does not file notice of its intent to file monthly at the time it files its campaign treasurer appointment may file the notice only during the period that begins on January 1 and ends on January 15.

(d) A general-purpose committee that files monthly reports may revert to the regular filing schedule prescribed by §20.423 of this title (relating to Semiannual Reports), §20.425 of this title (relating to Pre-election Reports), and §20.427 of this title (relating to Runoff Report) by delivering notice to the commission of the general-purpose committee's intent to revert.

(1) The notice must be delivered in writing not earlier than January 1 or later than January 15 of the year for which the general-purpose committee intends to revert to the regular reporting schedule.

(2) The notice must include a report of all political contributions accepted and all political expenditures made that were not previously reported.

§20.431. Monthly Reporting

(a) A monthly report filed by a general-purpose committee shall include the information required by §20.433 of this title (relating to Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures), except that the threshold reporting amount of $90 set out in §20.433(11)-(16), and (20) of this title (relating to Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures) does not apply to a general-purpose committee reporting monthly. For a general-purpose committee reporting monthly, the threshold reporting amount under §20.433(11)-(16) and (20) of this title is $20, except as provided by §20.434 of this title (relating to Alternate Reporting Requirements for Certain General-Purpose Committees).

(b) A monthly report is due not later than the fifth day of the month following the end of the period covered by the report. A monthly report covering the month preceding an election in which the committee is involved must be received by the authority with whom the report is required to be filed no later than the fifth day of the month following the end of the period covered by the report.

(c) Except for the first monthly report filed, a monthly report covers a period that begins on the 26th day of one month and ends on the 25th day of the next month.

(d) The beginning day for the first monthly report filed by a general-purpose committee shall be as follows.

(1) For a general-purpose committee that has been filing on the regular schedule and chooses monthly filing between January 1 and January 15 of a particular year, the first report will cover a period that begins on January 1 of that year.

(2) For a general-purpose committee that elected to file monthly at the time it filed its campaign treasurer appointment, the period covered by the first monthly report depends on the day of the month that the campaign treasurer was appointed.

(A) If the general-purpose committee filed its campaign treasurer appointment before the 25th of the month, the first report will cover a period that begins on the day the appointment was filed and ends on the 25th day of the same month.

(B) If the general-purpose committee filed its campaign treasurer appointment on or after the 25th of the month, the first report will cover the period that begins on the day the appointment is filed and ends on the 25th day of the next month.

§20.433. Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures

Semiannual reports, pre-election reports, and runoff reports must cover reportable activity during the reporting period and must include the following information:

(1) the full name of the general-purpose committee;

(2) the address of the general-purpose committee;

(3) the full name of the general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(4) the residence or business street address of the general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer;

(5) the committee campaign treasurer's telephone number;

(6) the identity and date of the election for which the report is filed, if applicable;

(7) the full name of each identified candidate or measure or classification by party of candidates supported or opposed by the general-purpose committee and an indication of whether the general-purpose committee supports or opposes each listed candidate, measure, or classification by party of candidates;

(8) the full name of each identified officeholder or classification by party of officeholders assisted by the general-purpose committee;

(9) if the general-purpose committee supports or opposes measures exclusively, for each contribution accepted from a corporation as defined by § 0.1 of this title (relating to Definitions):

(A) the date each contribution was accepted;

(B) the full name of the corporation or labor organization making the contribution;

(D) the amount of the contribution; and

(E) a description of any in-kind contribution;

(10) for each political expenditure by the general-purpose committee that was made as a political contribution to a candidate, officeholder, or another political committee and that was returned to the general-purpose committee during the reporting period:

(A) the amount returned;

(B) the full name of the person to whom the expenditure was originally made;

(D) the date the expenditure was returned to the general-purpose committee;

(11) for each person from whom the general-purpose committee accepted a political contribution other than a pledge or a loan of more than $90 in value, or political contributions other than pledges or loans that total more than $90 in value (or more than $10 for a general-purpose committee reporting monthly):

(A) the date each contribution was accepted;

(B) the full name of the person making the contribution;

(D) the principal occupation of the person making the contribution;

(E) the amount of the contribution; and

(F) a description of any in-kind contribution;

(12) for each person from whom the general-purpose committee accepted a pledge or pledges to provide more than $90 in money or to provide goods or services worth more than $90 (more than $10 for a general-purpose committee reporting monthly):

(A) the full name of the person making the pledge;

(B) the address of the person making the pledge;

(D) the amount of each pledge;

(E) the date each pledge was accepted; and

(F) a description of any goods or services pledged;

(13) the total of all pledges accepted during the period for $90 and less from a person, except for those reported under paragraph (12) of this subsection ;

(14) for each person making a loan or loans to the general-purpose committee for campaign purposes if the total amount loaned by the person during the period is more than $90 (more than $20 for a general-purpose committee reporting monthly):

(A) the full name of the person or financial institution making the loan;

(B) the address of the person or financial institution making the loan;

(D) the date of the loan;

(E) the interest rate;

(F) the maturity date;

(G) the collateral for the loan, if any; and

(H) if the loan has guarantors:

(i) the full name of each guarantor;

(ii) the address of each guarantor;

(iii) the principal occupation of each guarantor;

(iv) the name of the employer of each guarantor; and

(v) the amount guaranteed by each guarantor;

(15) the total amount of loans accepted during the period for $90 and less from persons other than financial institutions engaged in the business of making loans for more than one year, except for those reported under paragraph (14) of this subsection ;

(16) for political expenditures made during the reporting period that total more than $190 (more than $20 for a general-purpose committee reporting monthly) to a single payee:

(A) the full name of the person to whom each expenditure was made;

(B) the address of the person to whom the expenditure was made;

(D) the purpose of the expenditure;

(E) the amount of the expenditure;

(F) indication for an expenditure paid in full or in part from corporations or labor organizations that it was paid from such sources.

(17) for each non-political expenditure made from political contributions:

(A) the date of each expenditure;

(B) the full name of the person to whom the expenditure was made;

(D) the purpose of the expenditure;

(E) the amount of the expenditure;

(F) indication for an expenditure paid in full or in part from corporations or labor organizations that it was paid from such sources.

(18) for each candidate or officeholder who benefits from a direct campaign expenditure made by the committee:

(A) the name of the candidate or officeholder; and

(B) the office sought or held by the candidate or officeholder;

(19) for each political contribution from an out-of-state political committee, the information required by §22.7 of this title (relating to Contribution from Out-of-State Committee);

(20) any credit, interest, rebate, refund, reimbursement, or return of a deposit fee resulting from the use of a political contribution or an asset purchased with a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(21) any proceeds of the sale of an asset purchased with a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(22) any other gain from a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(23) any investment purchased with a political contribution that is received during the reporting period and the amount of which exceeds $120;

(24) The full name and address of each person from whom an amount described by paragraph (20), (21), (22), or (23) of this section is received, the date the amount is received, and the purpose for which the amount is received;

(25) the following total amounts:

(A) the total principal amount of all outstanding loans as of the last day of the reporting period;

(B) the total amount or an itemized listing of political contributions (other than pledges, loans, or guarantees of loans) of $90 and less ($20 and less for a general-purpose committee reporting monthly);

(D) the total amount or an itemized listing of the political expenditures of $190 and less ($20 and less for a general-purpose committee reporting monthly); and

(E) the total amount of all political expenditures; and

(26) an affidavit, executed by the campaign treasurer, stating: "I swear, or affirm, that the accompanying report is true and correct and includes all information required to be reported by me under Title 15, Election Code."

§20.434. Alternate Reporting Requirements for General-Purpose Committees

(a) This section and Election Code § 254.1541 apply only to a general-purpose committee with less than $27,000 in one or more accounts maintained by the committee in which political contributions are deposited, as of the last day of the preceding reporting period for which the committee was required to file a report.

(b) The alternative reporting requirement in Election Code §254.1541 applies only to contributions.

(c) A report by a campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee to which this section and Election Code §254.154 apply shall include the information required by §20.433 of this title (Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures) except that the campaign treasurer may choose a threshold reporting amount for political contributions of $190 instead of the threshold reporting amount of $90 set out in §20.433(a)(11) and (a)(25)(B) of this title.

(d) A monthly report by a campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee to which this section and Election Code §254.154 apply shall include the information required by §20.433 of this title (Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures), except that the campaign treasurer may choose a threshold reporting amount for political contributions of $40 instead of the threshold reporting amount of $20 set out in §20.433(a)(11) and (a)(25)(B) of this title.

§20.435. Special Pre-Election Reports by Certain General-Purpose Committees

(a) In addition to other reports required by this chapter, a general-purpose committee must file a special pre-election report if the committee is involved in an election and if it:

(1) makes direct campaign expenditures supporting or opposing a single candidate that in the aggregate exceed $1,860 or a group of candidates that in the aggregate exceed $27,950 during the reporting period for special pre-election reports; or

(2) accepts political contributions from a person that in the aggregate exceed $6,370 during the reporting period for special pre-election reports.

(b) The period for special pre-election reports begins on the ninth day before election day and ends at noon on the day before election day.

(c) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, a report under this section must be received by the commission no later than the first business day after the contribution is accepted or the expenditure is made.

(d) A special pre-election report that is exempt from electronic filing under § 254.036(c), Election Code, must be received by the commission no later than 5 p.m. of the first business day after the contribution is accepted or the expenditure is made.

(e) Expenditures and contributions reported under this section must be reported again in the next applicable sworn report of contributions and expenditures.

§20.437. Form and Contents of Special Pre-Election Report

(b) A report required by §20.435 of this title (relating to Special Pre-Election Reports by Certain General-Purpose Committees) shall include the following information:

(1) the full name of the general-purpose committee;

(2) the full name of the campaign treasurer;

(3) the amount of each direct campaign expenditure;

(4) the full name and address of the person or persons to whom each direct campaign expenditure is made;

(5) the date of each direct campaign expenditure;

(6) a description of the goods or services for which each direct campaign expenditure was made;

(7) the identification of the candidates or group of candidates benefiting from the direct campaign expenditure;

(8) the name of the person making a contribution or contributions that triggered the requirement to file a special pre-election report;

(9) the address of the person making the contribution or contributions;

(10) the amount of each contribution;

(11) the date each contribution was accepted; and

(12) a description of any in-kind contribution.

§20.439. Dissolution Report

(a) The campaign treasurer of a general-purpose committee may file a dissolution report at any time that the committee expects no further reportable activity to occur.

(b) A dissolution report does not have to be filed by a designated deadline.

(1) relieves the campaign treasurer of the duty to file additional reports under this subchapter; and

(2) terminates the general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer appointment.

§20.441. Contents of Dissolution Report

A dissolution report must contain:

(1) the information listed in §20.433 of this title (relating to Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures), except as provided by §20.434 of this title (relating to Alternate Reporting Requirements for Certain General-Purpose Committees); and

(2) the following sworn statement, signed by the general-purpose committee's campaign treasurer, and properly notarized:

"I, the undersigned campaign treasurer, do not expect the occurrence of any further reportable activity by this general-purpose committee for this or any other campaign or election for which reporting under the Election Code is required. I declare that all of the information required to be reported by me has been reported. I understand that designating a report as a dissolution report terminates the appointment of campaign treasurer. I further understand the circumstances in which the general-purpose committee may not make or authorize political expenditures or accept political contributions without having an appointment of campaign treasurer on file."

Subchapter G: RULES APPLICABLE TO A PRINCIPAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE OF A POLITICAL PARTY

§20.501. Designation of Principal Political Committee

The state or county executive committee of a political party may designate a general-purpose committee as the principal political committee for that state or county, as applicable.

§20.503. Exceptions from Certain Notice Requirements

(a) The principal political committee for a political party in the state or in a county is exempted from complying with §20.421 of this title (relating to Notice to Candidate or Officeholder).

(b) The principal political committee for a political party in the state or in a county is not required to report under §20.433(16) of this title (relating to Contents of General-Purpose Committee Sworn Report of Contributions and Expenditures) a direct campaign expenditure that it makes on behalf of a slate of two or more nominees of the party.

Subchapter H: RULES APPLICABLE TO A POLITICAL PARTY ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CORPORATIONS OR LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

§20.521. Restrictions on Use of Contributions from Corporations or Labor Organizations

A political party that accepts a contribution authorized by §24.19 of this title (relating to Contribution to a Political Party) may use the contribution only for the following purposes:

(1) to defray normal overhead and administrative or operating costs incurred by the party; or

(2) to administer a primary election or convention held by the party.

§20.523. Separate Account Required

(a) Contributions authorized by §24.19 of this title (relating to Contribution to a Political Party) must be maintained in an account separate from other contributions accepted by a political party.

(b) Interest and other income earned from contributions authorized by §24.19 of this title (relating to Contribution to a Political Party) must be maintained in the account required by subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Proceeds from the sale or rent of assets purchased either with contributions authorized by §24.19 of this title (relating to Contribution to a Political Party) or with interest or other income earned from such contributions must be maintained in the account required by subsection (a) of this section.

§20.525. Record of Contributions and Expenditures and Contents of Report

(a) The party chair of a political party is required to maintain a record of all contributions from corporations and labor organizations and all expenditures from such contributions.

(b) The party chair of a political party shall preserve the record required by subsection (a) of this section for at least two years after the filing deadline for the report containing the information on the record.

(c) The party chair of a political party that accepts contributions authorized by §24.19 of this title (relating to Contribution to a Political Party) shall report all contributions and expenditures made to and from the account required by §20.523 of this title (relating to Separate Account Required), in accordance with the reporting schedule in §20.529 of this title (relating to Reporting Schedule for Political Party Accepting Corporate or Labor Organization Contributions).

(d) The reports required by subsection (c) of this section shall contain the following information for the period covered by the report:

(1) the full name of the political party;

(2) the complete mailing address of the political party;

(3) the full name of the political party's chair;

(4) the residence or business street address of the political party's chair;

(5) if the mailing address of the political party's chair is different from the street address provided, the mailing address for the political party's chair;

(6) the political party chair's telephone number;

(7) the identity and date of the election for which the report is filed, if applicable;

(8) for each corporation or labor organization from whom the political party accepted a contribution (other than a pledge, loan, or guarantee of a loan):

(A) the full name of the corporation or labor organization making the contribution;

(B) the address of the corporation or labor organization making the contribution;

(D) the date the contribution was accepted;

(E) a description of any in-kind contribution;

(9) for each corporation or labor organization from whom the political party accepted a pledge:

(A) the full name of the corporation or labor organization making the pledge;

(B) the address of the corporation or labor organization making the pledge;

(D) the date the pledge was accepted; and

(E) a description of any goods or services pledged;

(10) for each corporation or labor organization making a loan or loans to the political party:

(A) the full name of the person or financial institution making the loan;

(B) the address of the person or financial institution making the loan;

(D) the date of the loan;

(E) the interest rate;

(F) the maturity date;

(G) the collateral for the loan, if any;

(H) if the loan has guarantors:

(i) the full name of each guarantor;

(ii) the address of each guarantor;

(iii) the principal occupation of each guarantor;

(iv) the name of the employer of each guarantor; and

(v) the amount guaranteed by each guarantor;

(11) for each expenditure made by the political party from the account required by §20.523 of this title (relating to Separate Account Required):

(A) the date of the expenditure;

(B) the full name of the person to whom each expenditure was made;

(D) the purpose of the expenditure, for example, the nature of the goods or services for which the expenditure was made; and

(E) the amount of the expenditure;

(12) for each expenditure by the political party that was made as a political contribution to a candidate, officeholder, or another political committee and that was returned to the political party during the reporting period:

(A) the amount returned;

(B) the full name of the person to whom the expenditure was originally made;

(D) the date the expenditure was returned to the general-purpose committee;

(13) the following total amounts:

(A) total amount of all contributions (other than pledges, loans, or guarantees of loans) accepted during the period from corporations or labor organizations;

(B) the total amount of all expenditures made during the period from the account required by §20.523 of this title (relating to Separate Account Required);

(14) if applicable, a statement that no reportable activity occurred during the reporting period; and

(15) an affidavit, executed by the political party's chair, stating:

"I swear, or affirm, that the accompanying report is true and correct and includes all information required to be reported by me under Title 15, Election Code."

§20.527. Form of Report

(a) The report required by this subchapter is separate from any other report a political party is required to file under this title.

(b) The report is filed by the chair of the state party or county executive committee, as applicable, and not by the treasurer of a general-purpose committee. Contributions and expenditures required to be reported under this subchapter should not be included on a report filed in accordance with Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Reporting Requirements for a General-Purpose Committee).

(c) Except as provided by Section 254.036(c), Election Code, each report filed with the commission under this subchapter and chapter 257 of the Election Code must be filed by computer diskette, modem, or other means of electronic transfer, using computer software provided by the commission or computer software that meets commission specifications for a standard file format.

§20.529. Reporting Schedule for Political Party Accepting Corporate or Labor Organization Contributions

A political party that has accepted a contribution from a corporation or labor organization shall file the following reports until the political party is no longer accepting corporate or labor organization contributions and the acceptance and expenditure of all such funds has been reported.

(1) A report shall be filed not earlier than July 1 and not later than July 15, covering the period that begins on either January 1 or the day after the last day included in a primary election report filed under paragraph (3) of this section, as applicable, and ends on June 30.

(2) A report shall be filed not earlier than January 1 and not later than January 15, covering the period that begins on either July 1 or the day after the last day included in a general-election report filed under paragraph (4) of this section, as applicable, and ends on December 31.

(3) A report shall be filed for each primary election held by the political party. The report shall be filed not later than the eighth day before the primary election, covering the period that begins on January 1 and ends on the 10th day before the primary election.

(4) A report shall be filed for the general election for state and county officers. The report shall be filed not later than the 50th day before the general election, covering the period that begins on July 1 and ends on the 61st day before the general election for state and county officers.

§20.531. Restrictions on Contributions before General Election

A political party may not knowingly accept a contribution authorized by §20.521 of this title (relating to Restrictions on Use of Contributions from Corporations or Labor Organizations) or make an expenditure from a separate account established pursuant to §20.523 of this title (relating to Separate Account Required) during the period that begins on the 60th day before the date of the general election for state and county officers and ends on the day of the election.

Subchapter I: RULES APPLICABLE TO A POLITICAL PARTY'S COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

§20.551. Obligation To Maintain Records

A county executive committee that accepts political contributions or makes political expenditures shall maintain the records required by § 20.17 of this title (relating to Retention of Records and Reports).

§20.553. Campaign Treasurer Appointment Not Required for County Executive Committee Accepting Contributions or Making Expenditures Under Certain Amount

(a) A county executive committee accepting political contributions or making political expenditures totaling $33,750 or less in a calendar year is not required to:

(1) appoint a campaign treasurer before accepting political contributions or making political expenditures; or

(2) file the reports required by Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Reporting Requirements for a General-Purpose Committee).

(b) A county executive committee described in subsection (a) of this section is required to comply with § 20.551 of this title (relating to Obligation To Maintain Records).

§20.555. County Executive Committee Accepting Contributions or Making Expenditures That Exceed Certain Amount

(a) A county executive committee described by subsection (b) of this section is subject to the requirements of Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Reporting Requirements for a General-Purpose Committee), except where those rules conflict with this subchapter. In the case of conflict, this subchapter prevails over Subchapter F of this chapter.

(b) A county executive committee that accepts political contributions or that makes political expenditures that, in the aggregate, exceed $33,750 in a calendar year shall file:

(1) a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission no later than the 15th day after the date that amount is exceeded; and

(2) the reports required by Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Reporting Requirements for a General-Purpose Committee). The first report filed must include all political contributions accepted and all political expenditures made before the county executive committee filed its campaign treasurer appointment.

(c) Contributions accepted from corporations and labor organizations under section 253.104 of the Election Codeand reported under Subchapter H of this chapter (relating to Accepting and Reporting Contributions from Corporations and Labor Organizations) do not count against the $33,750 thresholds described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) A county executive committee that filed a campaign treasurer appointment may file a final report, which will notify the commission that the county executive committee does not intend to file future reports unless it exceeds one of the $33,750 thresholds. The final report may be filed:

(1) beginning on January 1 and by the January 15 filing deadline if the committee has exceeded one of the $33,750 thresholds in the previous calendar year; or

(2) at any time if the committee has not exceeded one of the $33,750 thresholds in the calendar year.

§20.557. Exceptions from Certain Restrictions

A county executive committee is excepted from complying with § 20.401(a)-(c) of this title (relating to Thresholds for Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by a General-Purpose Committee).

§20.559. Exception from Notice Requirement

A county executive committee that accepts political contributions for or makes political expenditures on behalf of a candidate or officeholder is exempted from complying with § 20.421 of this title (relating to Notice to Candidate or Officeholder).

§20.561. County Executive Committee Accepting Contributions from Corporations and/or Labor Organizations

(a) A county executive committee that accepts contributions from corporations or labor organizations authorized by § 24.19 of this title (relating to Contribution to a Political Party) is subject to the provisions set out in Subchapter H of this chapter (relating to Rules Applicable to a Political Party Accepting Contributions from Corporations or Labor Organizations).

(b) The chair of a county executive committee that accepts contributions from a corporation or labor organization must file the report required by § 20.525 of this title (relating to Record of Contributions and Expenditures).

Subchapter J: REPORTS BY A CANDIDATE FOR STATE OR COUNTY PARTY CHAIR

§20.571. Definitions

The following term, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Candidate for state chair of a political party--A person who seeks election to serve as the chair of the state executive committee of a political party with a nominee on the ballot in the most recent gubernatorial general election. Candidacy may be evidenced by any one or more of the following actions:

(1) declaring candidacy;

(2) soliciting or accepting a campaign contribution or making or authorizing a campaign expenditure; or

(3) appointing a campaign treasurer as a candidate for state chair.

§20.573. Rules Applicable to Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party

Except as provided by this subchapter, a candidate for state chair of a political party is subject to the rules applicable to a candidate for a statewide public office.

§20.575. Contributions to and Expenditures by Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party

Except as provided by this subchapter, each contribution to and expenditure by a candidate for state chair of a political party is subject to the same rules as contributions to and expenditures by a candidate for statewide public office.

§20.577. Reporting Schedule for a Candidate for State Chair

(a) A candidate for state chair of a political party is required to file only the reports listed in this section and is not required to file any other reports required by candidates for public office under Subchapter C of this chapter (relating to Reporting Requirements for a Candidate).

(b) A candidate for state chair of a political party is required to file semiannual reports as provided by this subsection.

(1) One semiannual report is due no earlier than July 1 and no later than July 15.

(A) The period covered by a report under this paragraph begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:

(i) January 1;

(ii) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter; or

(iii) the day the state chair's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the first report filed under this subchapter.

(B) The period covered by the report under this paragraph ends on June 30.

(2) One semiannual report is due no earlier than January 1 and no later than January 15. The period covered by a report under this paragraph begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:

(A) July 1;

(B) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter; or

(C) the day the state chair's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the first report filed under this subchapter.

(1) A candidate for state chair of a political party shall file a report not earlier than the 39th day before the convening of the state convention and not later than the 30th day before the convening of the state convention. The report shall cover the period that begins on either the day the candidate filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed, as applicable, and ends on the 40th day before the convening.

(2) A candidate for state chair of a political party shall file a report not earlier than the ninth day before the convening of the state convention and not later than the eighth day before the convening of the state convention. The report must cover the period that begins on either the day the candidate filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed, as applicable, and ends on the 10th day before the convening.

(d) A candidate for state chair of a political party who expects no further reportable activity in connection with his or her candidacy may file a final report at any time in accordance with § 20.229 of this title (relating to Final Report) and § 20.231 of this title (relating to Contents of Final Report).

(e) A former candidate for state chair of a political party who retains unexpended political contributions, unexpended interest or other income from political contributions, or assets purchased with political contributions at the time of filing a final report is subject to the requirements of §§ 20.233, 20.235, 20.237, 20.239, 20.241, and 20.243 of this title (relating to Reporting Requirements for a Candidate).

(f) Except as provided by Section 254.036(c), Election Code, each report filed with the commission under this section must be filed by computer diskette, modem, or other means of electronic transfer, using computer software provided by the commission or computer software that meets commission specifications for a standard file format.

§20.579. Candidates for County Chair in Certain Counties

(a) This section applies to a candidate for election to the office of county chair of a political party with a nominee on the ballot in the most recent gubernatorial general election if the county has a population of 350,000 or more.

(b) The provisions of this subchapter that apply to a candidate for state party chair apply to a candidate for county chair covered by this section, except that a candidate for county chair is not required to file the pre-convention reports that a state party chair is required to file under section 20.577(c) of this title (relating to Reporting Schedule for a Candidate for State Chair).

(c) In addition to the semiannual reports due to be filed with the commission by January 15 and July 15 under section 20.577(b) of this title, a candidate for county chair covered by this section who has an opponent on the ballot in an election shall file the following two reports with the commission for each primary election except as provided by subsection (d).

(1) The first report shall be filed not later than the 30th day before primary election day. The report covers the period beginning the day the candidate's campaign treasurer appointment is filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through the 40th day before primary election day.

(2) The second report shall be filed not later than the eighth day before election day. The report covers the period beginning the 39th day before primary election day and continuing through the 10th day before primary election day.

(d) A candidate who has declared the intention to file reports in accordance with section 20.217 of this title (relating to Modified Reporting) and who remains eligible to file under the modified schedule is not required to file pre-election reports.

(e) In addition to other required reports, a candidate for county chair covered by this section who is in a runoff election shall file one report with the commission for the runoff election. The runoff election report shall be filed not later than the eighth day before runoff election day. The report covers the period beginning the ninth day before the primary election day and continuing through the tenth day before runoff election day.

Subchapter K: REPORTS BY POLITICAL COMMITTEES SUPPORTING OR OPPOSING A CANDIDATE FOR STATE OR COUNTY CHAIR OF A POLITICAL PARTY

§20.591. Appointment of Campaign Treasurer by Political Committee Supporting or Opposing Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party

Except as provided by this subchapter, a political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party is subject to the rules applicable to a specific-purpose committee supporting or opposing a candidate for a statewide public office.

§20.593. Contributions and Expenditures by Political Committee Supporting or Opposing Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party

Except as provided by this subchapter, each contribution to and expenditure by a political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party is subject to the same rules as a specific-purpose committee supporting or opposing a candidate for statewide public office.

§20.595. Reporting Schedule for a Political Committee Supporting or Opposing Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party

(a) A political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party is required to file semiannual reports in accordance with this section.

(1) One semiannual report is due no earlier than July 1 and no later than July 15.

(A) The period covered by a report under this paragraph begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:

(i) January 1;

(ii) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter; or

(iii) the day the political committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the first report filed under this subchapter.

(B) The period covered by the report under this subparagraph ends on June 30.

(2) One semiannual report is due no earlier than January 1 and no later than January 15.

(A) The period covered by a report under this paragraph begins on the later of the following dates, as applicable:

(i) July 1;

(ii) the first day after the period covered by the last report required by this subchapter; or

(iii) the day the political committee's campaign treasurer appointment was filed, if this is the first report filed under this subchapter.

(B) The period covered by the report under this subparagraph ends on December 31.

(b) A political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party shall also file the following reports.

(1) A political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party shall file a report not earlier than the 39th day before the convening of the state convention and not later than the 30th day before the convening of the state convention. The report shall cover the period that begins on either the day the political committee filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed, as applicable, and ends on the 40th day before the convening.

(2) A political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party shall file a report not earlier than the ninth day before the convening of the state convention and not later than the eighth day before the convening of the state convention. The report covers the period that begins on either the date the political committee filed a campaign treasurer appointment with the commission or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed, as applicable, and ends on the 10th day before the convening.

(c) A political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state chair of a political party may file a dissolution report in accordance with § 20.341 of this title (relating to Dissolution Report) and § 20.343 of this title (relating to Contents of Dissolution Report) at any time that the committee expects no further reportable activity to occur).

§20.597. Political Committees Supporting or Opposing Candidates for County Chair in Certain Counties

(a) This section applies to a political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for election to the office of county chair of a political party with a nominee on the ballot in the most recent gubernatorial general election if the county has a population of 350,000 or more.

(b) The provisions of this subchapter that apply to a political committee supporting or opposing a candidate for state party chair apply to a political committee covered by this section, except that a political committee covered by this section is not required to file the pre-convention reports under section 20.595(b) of this title (relating to Reporting Schedule for a Political Committee Supporting or Opposing Candidate for State Chair of a Political Party).

(c) In addition to the semiannual reports due to be filed with the commission by January 15 and July 15, a political committee covered by this section shall file the following two reports with the commission for each primary election.

(1) The first report shall be filed not later than the 30th day before primary election day. The report covers the period beginning the day the committee's campaign treasurer appointment is filed or the first day after the period covered by the last report required to be filed under this subchapter, as applicable, and continuing through the 40th day before primary election day.

(d) In addition to other required reports, a political committee covered by this section shall file one report with the commission for a runoff election in which the candidate supported or opposed by the committee is involved. The runoff election report shall be filed not later than the eighth day before runoff election day. The report covers the period beginning the ninth day before the primary election day and continuing through the tenth day before runoff election day.

(e) Except as provided by Section 254.036(c), Election Code, each report filed with the commission under this section must be filed by computer diskette, modem, or other means of electronic transfer, using computer software provided by the commission or computer software that meets commission specifications for a standard file format.

Part I (Subchapters A to D–Sections 20.1 to 20.295)