Overview

• House Bill 18 cleared the chamber 86-46 after hours of debate and failed Democratic amendments, sending the measure to the Senate.
• Under the bill, members who leave the state to deny quorum and their legislative caucuses would be barred from fundraising, with contributions limited to the daily per diem set by the Texas Ethics Commission.
• The proposal also prohibits using campaign funds for travel, food, or lodging tied to an out-of-state quorum-break trip.
• Violations carry fines of up to $5,000 per infraction for lawmakers, with a matching penalty for donors, and include a process to challenge penalties in district court with appeals to a newly created appellate court.
• The Senate has scheduled a committee hearing for the bill Wednesday evening, and House leaders are pursuing separate rule changes that could increase fines and strip absent members of seniority or committee leadership.