The following is a list of the forms, instructions, opinions, filing deadlines, and applicable law that apply to the election of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. If you have any questions, please contact the Texas Ethics Commission at 512-463-5800.

As of September 1, 2003, a person, including a speaker candidate, may not make a contribution to a speaker candidate's campaign or an expenditure to aid or defeat a speaker candidate from: (1) political contributions accepted under Title 15, Election Code; (2) interest earned on political contributions accepted under Title 15, Election Code; or (3) an asset purchased with political contributions accepted under Title 15, Election Code. Section 302.0191 of the Government Code.

Opinions Regarding the Speaker of the Texas
House of Representatives Race

Filing Deadlines for Candidates for Speaker of the Texas
House of Representatives

Speaker candidates are required to file a "Candidate for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Statement of Contributions, Loans, and Expenditures" (Form SPK) on:

1. the first filing date after the announcement of initiation of the candidacy;

2. each filing date during the candidacy; and

3. each filing date until all campaign loans have been repaid.

The filing dates are:

• the first day of January;
• the day before regular session convenes;
• the first day of March;
• the first day of May;
• the first day of July;
• the first day of September;
• the first day of November; and
• the day before special session convenes.

If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the report is due on the next regular business day.

Period Covered by Reports:

First report:  The first day covered is the date of announcement or initiation of the candidacy.  The last day covered is the day before the date the report is due.

All other reports:  The first day covered is the day after the date the last report ended.  The last day covered is the day before the date the report is due.  In other words, the period covered is the full preceding two months before the date the report is due.

Report of unexpended contributions:

Not later than January 15 of each year, a former speaker candidate who retains unexpended campaign funds must file a report covering either (1) the preceding calendar year or (2) the period beginning on the date after the last day of the period covered by the most recent statement filed by the former speaker and ending on December 31 of the preceding calendar year.

Law Applicable to Candidates for Speaker of the Texas
House of Representatives

1. Chapter 302 of the Government Code: Speaker of the House of Representatives

2. Texas Ethics Commission Rules, Chapter 28: Reports By a Candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives

3. Texas Ethics Commission Rules, § 20.31: Use of Political Contributions for Contributions to Speaker Candidate (Superceded by Section 302.0191 of the Government Code, which prohibits the use of political contributions to make a contribution to a speaker candidate.)