Texas Election Code
§ 253.035 — RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS
EL § 253.035Title 15. REGULATING POLITICAL FUNDS AND CAMPAIGNS · Ch. 253. RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES · Art. B. CANDIDATES, OFFICEHOLDERS, AND POLITICAL COMMITTEES
Statute text
View on source(a)A person who accepts a political contribution as a candidate or officeholder may not convert the contribution to personal use.
(b)A specific-purpose committee that accepts a political contribution may not convert the contribution to the personal use of a candidate, officeholder, or former candidate or officeholder.
(c)The prohibitions prescribed by Subsections (a) and (b) include the personal use of an asset purchased with the contribution and the personal use of any interest and other income earned on the contribution.
(d)In this section, "personal use" means a use that primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder of a public office. The term does not include:
(1)payments made to defray ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with activities as a candidate or in connection with the performance of duties or activities as a public officeholder, including payment of rent, utility, and other reasonable housing or household expenses incurred in maintaining a residence in Travis County by members of the legislature who do not ordinarily reside in Travis County, but excluding payments prohibited under Section 253.038; or
(2)payments of federal income taxes due on interest and other income earned on political contributions.
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Legislative history
Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 899, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 304, Sec. 5.06, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 996, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 240, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.