TITLE 1. ADMINISTRATION

PART 2. TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

CHAPTER 12. SWORN COMPLAINTS

SUBCHAPTER G. OTHER ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

The Texas Ethics Commission (the commission) proposes new Ethics Commission Rule 12.100, regarding Informal Notice of Apparent Violation.

The proposed rule would create a new subchapter of Chapter 12 of the TEC Rules, which relates to enforcement.

Subsection (a) allows but does not require commission staff to notify a person if staff is notified of an "apparent" violation of law under the TEC's jurisdiction. The rule would provide clear authority for staff to contact the person responsible for an alleged violation with the goal of resolving the problem without needing a sworn complaint. If the alleged violator, in response to notice of an apparent violation, corrects an inaccurate report, files a missing report, or corrects signage lacking a disclosure statement it would vindicate the voting public's informational interest.

Limiting the authority to send notices of an apparent violation to 60 days before an election would limit staff's authority to cases where there would not be time to resolve a sworn complaint before the election. However, the authority does not necessarily need a temporal limit. Sworn complaints can be time-consuming for all parties and having a way to provide notice and encourage correction whenever staff become aware of it would support compliance with the law while saving time.

Subsection (b) is meant to ensure accountability for staff and the alleged violator. The rule requires staff to report the notices made since the last meeting to the commissioners. This information allows the commissioners to direct staff to alter their notice practices for any reason (e.g. too many, too few, too close to an election, appearance of bias etc.).

The rule also provides certainty to the alleged violator that his or her response, if any, will be reported to the commissioners who can then act, such as issuing a sworn complaint depending on the severity of the alleged violation and lack of action taken to remedy it.

This subsection makes clear that discussion about the notices and responses to the notices are confidential because it involves the contemplation of a sworn complaint.

Amanda Arriaga, General Counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed new rule.

The General Counsel has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed new rule is in effect the public benefit will be to allow alleged violators to correct their violation before a sworn complaint is filed. There will not be an effect on small businesses, microbusinesses or rural communities. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed new rule.

The General Counsel has determined that during the first five years that the proposed new rule is in effect, it will not: create or eliminate a government program; require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability; or positively or adversely affects this state's economy.

The Texas Ethics Commission invites comments on the proposed new rule from any member of the public. A written statement should be emailed to public_comment@ethics.state.tx.us, or mailed or delivered to James Tinley, Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070. A person who wants to offer spoken comments to the commission concerning the proposed new rule may do so at any commission meeting during the agenda item relating to the proposed new rule. Information concerning the date, time, and location of commission meetings is available by telephoning (512) 463-5800 or on the Texas Ethics Commission's website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules to administer Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The proposed new rule affects Subchapter E of Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602309

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800

CHAPTER 16. FACIAL COMPLIANCE REVIEWS AND AUDITS

The Texas Ethics Commission (the TEC) proposes amendments to Chapter 16 in TEC Rules, regarding Facial Compliance Reviews and Audits.

Specifically, the TEC proposes amendments to §16.1 regarding Definitions, §16.3 regarding Corrected or Amended Report Filed During a Facial Compliance Review; Late Fines, §16.4. Additional Documents and Information Submitted in Response to a Facial Compliance Review; Timeliness, §16.5. Commission Initiated Preliminary Review or Audit Resulting from a Facial Compliance Review, §16.5. Commission Initiated Preliminary Review or Audit Resulting from a Facial Compliance Review, §16.7. Supporting Documentation in Response to Audit; Timeliness, §16.8. Complete Audit Report, §16.9. Representation by Attorney, and §16.12. Facial Review of Total Amount of Political Contributions Maintained.

State law requires state agencies to "review and consider for readoption each of its rules … not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which the rule takes effect and every four years after that date." Tex. Gov't Code § 2001.039. The law further requires agencies to "readopt, readopt with amendments, or repeal a rule as the result of reviewing the rule under this section." Id.

The TEC is continuing its comprehensive review with a review of the TEC's rules regarding facial compliance reviews and audits, which are codified in Chapter 16. The proposed amendments seek to shorten, simplify, and reorganize the rules to eliminate surplusage and improve clarity on procedures for facial compliance reviews and audits. Amanda Arriaga, General Counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amended rules are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amended rules.

The General Counsel has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amended rules are in effect, the public benefit will be consistency and clarity in the TEC's rules regarding procedures for facial compliance reviews and audits. There will not be an effect on small businesses, microbusinesses or rural communities. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed amended rules.

The General Counsel has determined that during the first five years that the proposed amended rules are in effect, they will not: create or eliminate a government program; require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; require an increase in future legislative appropriations to the agency; require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; create a new regulation; increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rules' applicability; or positively or adversely affect this state's economy.

The TEC invites comments on the proposed amended rules from any member of the public. A written statement should be emailed to public_comment@ethics.state.tx.us, or mailed or delivered to James Tinley, Executive Director, Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070. A person who wants to offer spoken comments to the Commission concerning the proposed amended rules may do so at any Commission meeting during the agenda item relating to the proposed amended rules. Information concerning the date, time, and location of Commission meetings is available by telephoning (512) 463-5800 or on the TEC's website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.

The amended rules are proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules to administer Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The proposed amended rules affect Section 571.069 of the Government Code.

§16.1. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Deficiency--An error, omission, inaccuracy, or violation of a law or rule administered and enforced by the Commission [commission] that is apparent on the face of a statement or report filed with the Commission. [commission]

(2) Compliance review report--A report sent to a filer detailing deficiencies in a report that is the subject of a facial compliance review.

(3) Facial compliance review--A review conducted under §[section] 571.069 of the Government Code of the information [disclosed] on a report, randomly selected in accordance with §16.2 of this chapter (relating to Random Selection), filed with the Commission [commission] for facial completeness, accuracy, reliability, and compliance with the law.

(4) Report--A personal financial statement, lobby registration, lobby activities report, or campaign finance report filed with the Commission [commission].

§16.3. Corrected or Amended Report Filed During a Facial Compliance Review; Late Fines.

(a) A correction filed for the report that is subject to the facial compliance review will not be subject to a late fine if:

(1) The correction is filed not later than the 30th day after the date the filer receives the compliance review report;

(2) The corrected information complies with the law; and

(3) The original report was filed in good faith and without an intent to mislead or misrepresent the information contained in the report.

(b) A late fine will not be assessed for corrections filed to correct reporting errors made in any report filed prior to the report that is subject to the facial compliance review if:

(1) The filer learned of the errors through the facial compliance review;

(2) The correction is filed not later than the 30th day after the date the filer receives the compliance review report;

(3) The corrections comply with the law; and

(4) The original report was filed in good faith and without an intent to mislead or misrepresent the information contained in the report.

(c) A correction filed in accordance with this section will not be considered a prior late offense for purposes of determining the waiver or reduction of a fine under chapter 18 of this title (relating to General Rules Concerning Reports).

§16.4. Additional Documents and Information Submitted in Response to a Facial Compliance Review; Timeliness.

(a) The Commission [commission] may request from a filer documentation and other information used by the filer to compile a report that is subject to a facial compliance review.

(b) Documentation and other information requested by the Commission [commission] is timely submitted if received by the Commission [commission] not later than the 30th day after the date the filer receives the request for additional documentation.

§16.5. Commission Initiated Preliminary Review or Audit Resulting from a Facial Compliance Review.

(a) The Commission [commission] may initiate a preliminary review as authorized by §571.124 of the Government Code or perform a complete audit of a report that is subject to a facial compliance review under §571.069 of the Government Code if:

(1) a correction is not resubmitted to the Commission [commission] in accordance with §16.3 of this title (relating to Corrected or Amended Report Filed During a Facial Compliance Review; Late Fines) [16.2];

(2) documentation or other information requested by the Commission [commission] during a facial compliance review is not submitted to the Commission [commission] in accordance with §16.4 of this title (relating to Additional Documents and Information Submitted in Response to a Facial Compliance Review; Timeliness) [16.3]; or

(3) the Commission [commission] has determined by a vote of at least six Commission [commission] members that the correction filed in response to a compliance review report, does not comply with the law.

§16.6. Notice of Audit of Report.

The Commission [commission] shall notify a filer that the Commission [commission] will perform a complete audit of a report that is the subject of a facial compliance review not later than the seventh day after the date the Commission [commission] votes to initiate the audit.

§16.7. Supporting Documentation in Response to Audit; Timeliness.

(a) A filer must submit to the Commission [commission], upon request and where applicable, supporting documentation in the possession, custody, or control of the filer or filer's agents that contains information necessary for filing the report that is subject to the audit, such as:

(1) bank statements;

(2) cancelled checks;

(3) receipts;

(4) credit card statements;

(5) invoices;

(6) loan documents;

(7) books or ledgers;

(8) employee timesheets and payroll records;

(9) certificates of formation or other business documents; and

(10) real property records.

(b) A filer must submit to the Commission [commission] the supporting documentation in response to an audit not later than the 30th calendar [business] day from the date the filer receives notice of the audit.

§16.8. Complete Audit Report.

(a) Commission staff must complete a draft audit report not later than the 30th day after the Commission [commission] receives from the filer the documentation requested under §16.7 of this chapter (relating to supporting Documentation in Response to Audit; Timeliness) [16.6].

(b) The filer must have an opportunity to confer and object in writing to any findings in the draft audit report before it is submitted to the Commission [commission] for approval.

(c) Commission staff must consider the filer's objections before submitting the draft audit report to the Commission [commission] for approval.

(d) Upon approval of an audit, the Commission [commission] shall send to the filer a final audit report that includes:

(1) a notification that the Commission [commission] has determined the report that was subject to the audit complies with the law; or

(2) required corrective actions that the filer must take to cure any deficiency found in the report that is subject to the audit.

(e) A filer must correct or amend a report to correct all deficiencies identified in a complete audit report not later than the 30th day from the date the filer receives the complete audit report.

§16.9. Representation by Attorney.

(a) A filer has the right to be represented by an attorney retained by the filer during a facial compliance review or an audit initiated by the Commission [commission] as a result of a facial compliance review.

(b) A letter of representation must be submitted to the Commission [commission] if the filer is represented by an attorney.

§16.12. Facial Review of Total Amount of Political Contributions Maintained.

(a) In this section "expected total political contributions maintained" for a report subject to review is the total amount of political contributions maintained disclosed on the previous report and all monetary political contributions, loans, and credits, less all expenditures from political contributions disclosed on the report that is subject to review, excluding the purchase of investments that can be readily converted to cash.

(b) When there is a difference greater than the threshold set by §20.50(c) of this title (relating to Total Political Contributions Maintained) between the total amount of political contributions maintained disclosed in a report and the expected total political contributions maintained, the Commission [commission] may request from the filer the bank statement showing the balance as of the last day of the reporting period for each account in which political contributions are maintained.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602310

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800

CHAPTER 18. GENERAL RULES CONCERNING REPORTS

The Texas Ethics Commission (the TEC) proposes amendments to TEC rules in Chapter 18. Specifically, the TEC proposes amendments to §18.31, regarding Adjustments to Reporting Thresholds.

Section 571.064(b) of the Government Code requires the TEC to annually adjust reporting thresholds upward to the nearest multiple of $10 in accordance with the percentage increase for the previous year in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. The laws under the TEC's authority that include reporting thresholds are Title 15 of the Election Code (campaign finance law), Chapter 305 of the Government Code (lobby law), Chapter 572 of the Government Code (personal financial statements), Chapters 302 and 303 of the Government Code (speaker election, governor for a day, and speaker's reunion day ceremony reports), and section 2155.003 of the Government Code (reporting requirements applicable to the comptroller).

The TEC first adopted adjustments to reporting thresholds in 2019, which were effective on January 1, 2020. These new adjustments, if adopted, will be effective on January 1, 2027, to apply to contributions and expenditures that occur on or after that date.

Amanda Arriaga, General Counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule amendment is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amended rule.

The General Counsel has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amended rule is in effect, the public benefit will be consistency and clarity in the TEC's rules that set out reporting thresholds. There will not be an effect on small businesses, microbusinesses or rural communities. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed amended rule.

The General Counsel has determined that during the first five years that the proposed amended rule is in effect, they will: not create or eliminate a government program; not require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; require an increase in future legislative appropriations to the agency; require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rules' applicability; or not positively or adversely affect this state's economy.

The TEC invites comments on the proposed amended rule from any member of the public. A written statement should be emailed to public_comment@ethics.state.tx.us, or mailed or delivered to James Tinley, Executive Director, Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070. A person who wants to offer spoken comments to the TEC concerning the proposed amended rule may do so at any Commission meeting during the agenda item relating to the proposed amended rule. Information concerning the date, time, and location of Commission meetings is available by telephoning (512) 463-5800 or on the TEC's website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the TEC to adopt rules to administer Title 15 of the Election Code, and Texas Government Code §571.064, which requires the TEC to annually adjust reporting thresholds in accordance with that statute.

The proposed amended rule affects Title 15 of the Election Code.

§18.31. Adjustments to Reporting Thresholds.

(a) Pursuant to section 571.064 of the Government Code, the reporting thresholds are adjusted as follows:

Figure 1: 1 TAC §18.31(a) (.pdf)

[Figure 1: 1 TAC §18.31(a)]

Figure 2: 1 TAC §18.31(a) (.pdf)

[Figure 2: 1 TAC §18.31(a)]

Figure 3: 1 TAC §18.31(a) (.pdf)

[Figure 3: 1 TAC §18.31(a)]

Figure 4: 1 TAC §18.31(a) (.pdf)

[Figure 4: 1 TAC §18.31(a)]

Figure 5: 1 TAC §18.31(a) (No change.)

(b) The changes made by this rule apply only to conduct occurring on or after the effective date of this rule.

(c) The effective date of this rule is January 1, 2027 [2026].

(d) In this section:

(1) "CEC" means county executive committee;

(2) "DCE" means direct campaign expenditure-only filer;

(3) "GPAC" means general-purpose political committee;

(4) "MPAC" means monthly-filing general-purpose political committee;

(5) "PAC" means political committee;

(6) "PFS" means personal financial statement;

(7) "SPAC" means specific-purpose political committee; and

(8) "TA" means treasurer appointment.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602311

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800

CHAPTER 20. REPORTING CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES

The Texas Ethics Commission (the TEC) proposes amendments to Chapter 20 in TEC Rules, regarding Reporting Contributions and Expenditures.

Specifically, the TEC proposes amendments to §20.50 regarding Total Political Contributions Maintained in Subchapter B regarding General Reporting Rules.

The TEC also proposes amendments to §20.211 regarding Reporting Pledges, §20.213 regarding Reporting Loans, §20.220 regarding Additional Disclosure for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, §20.223 regarding Form and Contents of Special Pre-election Report, §20.227 regarding Contents of Special Session Report, and §20.235 regarding Contents of Annual Report in Subchapter C regarding Reporting Requirements.

The TEC also proposes amendments to §20.343 regarding Contents of Dissolution Report in Subchapter E regarding Reports by a General-Purpose or Specific-Purpose Committee.

The TEC also proposes amendments to §20.577 regarding Reporting Schedule for a Candidate for State Chair, and §20.579 regarding Candidates for County Chair in Certain Counties in Subchapter I regarding Reports by a Candidate or a Committee Supporting or Opposing a Candidate for State or County Party Chair.

State law requires state agencies to "review and consider for readoption each of its rules … not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on which the rule takes effect and every four years after that date." Tex. Gov't Code § 2001.039. The law further requires agencies to "readopt, readopt with amendments, or repeal a rule as the result of reviewing the rule under this section." Id.

The TEC completed its comprehensive review of Chapter 20 in 2025. After that review, TEC noticed some additional small changes that needed to be made.

Amanda Arriaga, General Counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amended rules are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amended rules.

The General Counsel has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amended rules are in effect, the public benefit will be consistency and clarity in the TEC's rules regarding procedures for reporting contributions and expenditures in campaign finance reports. There will not be an effect on small businesses, microbusinesses or rural communities. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed amended rules.

The General Counsel has determined that during the first five years that the proposed amended rules are in effect, they will not: create or eliminate a government program; require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; require an increase in future legislative appropriations to the agency; require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; create a new regulation; increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rules' applicability; or positively or adversely affect this state's economy.

The TEC invites comments on the proposed amended rules from any member of the public. A written statement should be emailed to public_comment@ethics.state.tx.us, or mailed or delivered to James Tinley, Executive Director, Texas Ethics Commission, P.O. Box 12070, Austin, Texas 78711-2070. A person who wants to offer spoken comments to the Commission concerning the proposed amended rules may do so at any Commission meeting during the agenda item relating to the proposed amended rules. Information concerning the date, time, and location of Commission meetings is available by telephoning (512) 463-5800 or on the TEC's website at www.ethics.state.tx.us.

SUBCHAPTER B. GENERAL REPORTING RULES

The amended rule is proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to administer Title 15 of the Election Code and Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The proposed amended rule affects Title 15 of the Election Code.

§20.50. Total Political Contributions Maintained.

(a) For purposes of Election Code §254.031(a)(8) and §254.0611(a)(1), the total amount of political contributions maintained in one or more accounts includes the following:

(1) The balance on deposit in banks, savings and loan institutions and other depository institutions;

(2) The present value of any investments that can be readily converted to cash, such as certificates of deposit, money market accounts, stocks, bonds, treasury bills, etc.; and

(3) The balance of political contributions accepted and held in any online fundraising account over which the filer can exercise control by making a withdrawal, expenditure, or transfer.

(b) For purposes of Election Code §254.031(a)(8) and §254.0611(a)(1), the total amount of political contributions maintained includes personal funds that the filer intends to use for political expenditures only if the funds have been deposited in an account in which political contributions are held as permitted by Election Code §253.0351(c).

(c) For purposes of Election Code §254.031(a-1), the difference between the total amount of political contributions maintained that is disclosed in a report and the correct amount is a de minimis error if the difference does not exceed $2,500.[:

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602312

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800

SUBCHAPTER C. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The amended rules are proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to administer Title 15 of the Election Code and Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The proposed amended rules affect Title 15 of the Election Code.

§20.211. Reporting Pledges.

Each report must include for each person from whom the candidate accepted a pledge or pledges to provide more than the threshold amount in money or goods or services worth more than the threshold amount:

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

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

(3) the amount of each pledge;

(4) the date each pledge was accepted; [and]

(5) a description of any goods or services pledged; and

(6) the total of all pledges accepted during the period for the threshold amount and less from a person.

§20.213. Reporting Loans.

(a) Each report must include [for each person making a loan or loans to the candidate for campaign purposes if the total amount loaned by the person during the reporting period is more than the threshold amount]:

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

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

(3) the amount of the loan;

(4) the date of the loan;

(5) the interest rate;

(6) the maturity date;

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

(8) if the loan has guarantors:

(A) the full name of each guarantor;

(B) the address of each guarantor;

(C) the principal occupation of each guarantor;

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

(E) the amount guaranteed by each guarantor.

(b) the total amount of loans accepted during the period for the threshold amount and less from persons other than financial institutions engaged in the business of making loans for more than one year, except for a loan reported under subsection (a) of this section.

§20.220. Additional Disclosure for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

(a) For purposes of this section and §2155.003(e) of the Government Code, the term "vendor" means:

(1) a person who, during the comptroller's term of office, bids on or receives a contract under the comptroller's purchasing authority that was transferred to the comptroller by §2151.004 of the Government Code; and

(2) an employee or agent of a person described by paragraph (1) of this section who communicates directly with the chief clerk, or an employee of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts who exercises discretion in connection with the vendor's bid or contract, about a bid or contract.

(b) Each report filed by the comptroller or a specific-purpose committee created to support the comptroller, shall include:

(1) for each vendor whose aggregate campaign contributions equal or exceed the threshold amount during the reporting period, a notation that:

(A) the contributor was a vendor during the reporting period or during the 12-month period preceding the last day covered by the report; and

(B) if the vendor is an individual, includes the name of the entity that employs or that is represented by the individual; and

(2) for each political committee directly established, administered, or controlled by a vendor whose aggregate campaign contributions equal or exceed the threshold amount [$610] during the reporting period, a notation that the contributor was a political committee directly established, administered, or controlled by a vendor during the reporting period or during the 12-month period preceding the last day covered by the report.

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

(a) A special pre-election report shall be filed electronically as required by §254.036, Election Code, unless the 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) In this section [subsection] "filer" means the candidate, general-purpose committee, or specific-purpose committee filing the report.

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

(1) the name of the filer;

(2) either:

(A) the office sought by the filer; or

(B) the full name of the campaign treasurer;

(3) the name of the person making the 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.

(d) A general-purpose committee making direct campaign expenditures must also include:

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

(2) the date of each direct campaign expenditure;

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

(4) the identification of the candidates or group of candidates benefiting from the direct campaign expenditure.

§20.227. Contents of Special Session Report.

A special session report shall include the following information:

(1) the filer's name;

(2) the filer's address;

(3) either:

(A) the office sought by the filer; or

(B) the full name of the campaign treasurer;

(4) if the filer is a specific-purpose committee:

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

(i) the full name of the candidate;

(ii) the office sought by the candidate; and

(iii) an indication of whether the committee supports or opposes the candidate;

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

(i) the full name of the officeholder;

(ii) the office held by the officeholder; and

(iii) an indication of whether the committee supports or opposes the officeholder;

(5) the date each contribution was accepted;

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

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

(8) the amount of each contribution accepted during the reporting period;

(9) a description of any in-kind contribution accepted during the reporting period; and

(10) an affidavit, executed by the candidate, 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."

§20.235. Contents of Annual Report.

In addition to the information required by §254.202 of the Election Code, an annual report of unexpended contributions shall include the following information:

(1) for each payment made by the candidate from unexpended political contributions, unexpended interest or other income earned from political contributions, or assets purchased with political contributions or interest or other income earned from political contributions during the previous year:

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

(B) the address of each person to whom a payment was made;

(C) the date of each payment;

(D) the nature of the goods or services for which the payment was made; and

(E) the amount of each payment.[;]

(2) the full name of each person to whom a payment from unexpended political contributions, unexpended interest or other income earned from political contributions, or assets purchased with political contributions or interest or other income earned from political contributions was made.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602313

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800

SUBCHAPTER E. REPORTS BY A GENERAL-PURPOSE OR SPECIFIC-PURPOSE COMMITTEE

The amended rule is proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to administer Title 15 of the Election Code and Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The proposed amended rule affects Title 15 of the Election Code.

§20.343. Contents of Dissolution Report.

A dissolution report must contain:

(1) the information described in §254.121 of the Election Code; and

(2) the following sworn statement, signed by the political 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 political [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 that a political [specific-purpose] committee may not make or authorize political expenditures or accept political contributions without having an appointment of campaign treasurer on file."

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602314

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800

SUBCHAPTER I. REPORTS BY A CANDIDATE OR A COMMITTEE SUPPORTING OR OPPOSING A CANDIDATE FOR STATE OR COUNTY PARTY CHAIR

The amended rules are proposed under Texas Government Code §571.062, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to administer Title 15 of the Election Code and Chapter 571 of the Government Code.

The proposed amended rules affect Title 15 of the Election Code.

§20.577. Reporting Schedule for a Candidate for State Chair.

(a) A filer 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).

(b) A filer 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.

(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 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 December 31.

(3) One pre-election 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 filer 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.

(4) One pre-election 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 [after] the filer 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.

§20.579. Candidates and Committees Supporting or Opposing Candidates for County Chair in Certain Counties.

(a) In addition to the semiannual reports due to be filed with the Commission by January 15 and July 15 under §20.577(b) of this chapter (relating to Reporting Schedule for a Candidate for State Chair), a candidate for county chair covered by this section who has an opponent whose name appears on the ballot in an election, or a committee supporting or opposing a candidate for county chair, shall file the following two reports with the Commission for each primary election except as provided by subsection (d) of this section.

(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.

(b) A candidate who has declared the intention to file reports in accordance with §20.205 of this chapter (relating to Modified Reporting) and who remains eligible to file under the modified schedule is not required to file special pre-election reports.

(c) In addition to other required reports, a filer 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 primary election day and continuing through the tenth day before runoff election day.

(d) Except as provided by §254.036(c) of the Election Code, each report filed with the Commission under this section must be filed by electronic transfer, using computer software provided by the Commission or computer software that meets Commission specifications for a standard file format.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 5, 2026.

TRD-202602315

Amanda Arriaga

General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 19, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5800