Texas House Passes Bill to Limit Out-of-State Political Donations
AUSTIN — The Texas House voted 118-21 on Wednesday in favor of a bill designed to curb the influence of out-of-state donors in local elections. The legislation, known as House Bill 3592, introduces contribution limits for non-resident donors, capping their donations at $5,000 for statewide races, $2,500 for district elections, and $1,000 for county elections.
Currently, Texas lacks comprehensive contribution limits for most candidates, allowing unrestricted financial support from across the nation, except for judicial candidates. The proposed measure would require candidates running for state and local offices to reject any out-of-state contributions exceeding these new limits. Should a candidate inadvertently accept a violating donation, they must return the funds within five days or by the end of the reporting period, facing potential civil penalties up to three times the amount of the illegal contribution.
While the bill does not apply to federal candidates, its implications seek to enhance election integrity within Texas. Former House Speaker Dade Phelan, who advocated for this measure, emphasized its importance for safeguarding Texas elections, as part of a broader effort involving multiple campaign transparency initiatives.
The final version of the legislation omitted an earlier clause that would have banned contributions from political committees heavily funded by out-of-state sources. Phelan has also introduced other bills this session focusing on transparency in political advertising and messaging, indicating a robust push for reforms aimed at fortifying the electoral process in Texas.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it is anticipated to continue stimulating discussions about campaign finance reform in the state.
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