Campaign Finance Reports (HB2626) / Walker County, TX

Campaign Finance Reports (HB2626)

Campaign Finance Reports

Campaign finance laws regulate the amounts and sources of money given or received for political purposes and stipulate disclosure requirements for political contributions and expenditures. In Texas, campaign finance requirements govern how much money candidates may receive from individuals and organizations, how much and how often they must report those contributions, and how much individuals, organizations and political parties may contribute to campaigns. The Texas Ethics Commission is responsible for interpreting Title 15 of the Election Code which sets out the Texas campaign finance law. The commission provides a Campaign Finance Guide for Candidates and Officeholders Who File With Local Filing Authorities.

We hope this helps you through your filing process!

Legislative Update:

All Political Subdivisions Must Post Campaign Finance Reports Online.

The 88th Legislature passed HB 2626, which requires all political subdivisions to post on their website all campaign finance reports filed on or after September 1, 2023. The new Internet posting requirement applies to all entities that receive campaign finance reports, including counties, cities, school districts, hospital districts, library districts, utility districts, water districts, etc. The campaign reports must be posted within 10 business days of receipt and remain on the political subdivision’s website for five years after the report is first made available. The political subdivision may redact the address (other than city, state and zip code) of any contributor before posting the report on its website. The report that includes the full address must remain available at the political subdivision’s office.

If you have any questions, you can reach the Texas Ethics Commission by phone at (512) 463-5800, or email at legalsupport@ethics.state.tx.us.

Here are Five things to keep in mind when running for public office in Texas to comply with campaign finance laws:

Adhere to the state’s campaign finance laws which regulate the amounts and sources of money given or received for political purposes; in addition, campaign finance laws stipulate disclosure requirements for political contributions and expenditures.
Candidates for statewide office, the state legislature, State Board of Education, or district attorney must file campaign finance reports with the Texas Ethics Commission.
File a campaign treasurer appointment form with the proper filing authority before accepting a campaign contribution or making or authorizing a campaign expenditure.
Report any sizable contribution if the money was given with the intent to be used in connection with the campaign.
Personal spending is allowed but must be reported as a political contribution.

Under the Campaign Finance Law, the Walker County Clerk’s Office is the county campaign finance filing authority. Per the Texas Ethics Commission, the following candidates and officeholders file with us: candidates for and holders of elective county offices; candidates for and holders of elective precinct offices within the county; candidates for and holders of the office of district attorney; and specific-purpose political committees.

Texas law requires that county officeholders and candidates file documents required to comply with campaign and financial disclosure laws. County Officeholders and Candidates must file a Semiannual (January and July) Campaign Finance Report in accordance with Title 15 of the Texas Election Code.

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Walker County, Texas