Texas SB19: Relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session.

What the bill says

An act relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session.

From the introduced text, August 26, 2025:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 253.034, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 253.034. RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS DURING AND FOLLOWING [[DELETED: REGULAR]] LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SECTION 2. Section 253.034, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows: [ADDED: (a-1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: During the period beginning on the date a special ] [ADDED: legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of ] [ADDED: final adjournment of the special legislative session, a person may ] [ADDED: not knowingly make a political contribution to:] [] [ or] [ADDED: (3)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: a specific-purpose committee for supporting, ] [ADDED: opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the ] [ADDED: legislature.] (b) A statewide officeholder, a member of the legislature, or a specific-purpose committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting a statewide officeholder or member of the legislature may not knowingly accept a political contribution, and shall refuse a political contribution that is received, during[ADDED: an applicable][[DELETED: the]] period prescribed by Subsection (a)[ADDED: or (a-1)]. A political contribution that is received and refused during that period …

Sponsors

• Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007) · primary sponsor
• Carol Alvarado (D, SD-006)
• Donna Campbell (R, SD-025)
• Adam Hinojosa (R, SD-027)
• Ken King (R, HD-088)
• Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018)

Latest actions

1. August 28, 2025: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
2. August 28, 2025: Considered in formal meeting
3. August 28, 2025: Referred to Elections
4. August 28, 2025: Read first time
5. August 27, 2025: Received from the Senate
6. August 26, 2025: Reported engrossed
7. August 26, 2025: Reason for vote recorded in Journal
8. August 26, 2025: Passed
9. August 26, 2025: Read 3rd time
10. August 26, 2025: Three day rule suspended

Votes

• State Affairs Committee Vote (Out of committee): 8 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Elections Committee Vote (In committee): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Three day rule (August 26, 2025): 22 yea, 5 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Regular order of business (August 26, 2025): 21 yea, 6 nay, passed
• Read 3rd time (August 26, 2025): 21 yea, 6 nay, passed
• Read 2nd time (August 26, 2025): 21 yea, 6 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB19?

SB19 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 2nd Special Session): Relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session.

What does SB19 do?

In its own words: An act relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session.

What is the status of SB19?

Passed one chamber as of August 26, 2025. Latest action: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s) (August 28, 2025).

Who sponsored SB19?

Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB19?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=SB00019