TITLE 1. ADMINISTRATION

PART 2. TEXAS ETHICS COMMISSION

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, 2026, to apply to contributions and expenditures that occur on or after that date.

Natalie McDermon, Interim 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) (No change.)

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.

(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 13, 2025.

TRD-202502006

Natalie McDermon

Interim General Counsel

Texas Ethics Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 27, 2025

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