HB 1126 by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) would establish a public financing system for elections to the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and courts of appeals. Under the proposal, a candidate could request public financing by filing a petition signed by a specified number of qualified voters who also make a minimum contribution to the candidate’s campaign. Once the Texas Ethics Commission declares that a candidate has met the eligibility standards, the candidate may start receiving distributions from the fund and may no longer accept contributions from private contributors or benefit from direct campaign expenditures on the candidate’s behalf. The fund would be
Rep. Rafael Anchia
composed of any amounts appropriated or gifted, as well as by civil penalties levied by the commission.
