Ethics Commission Proposes Political Donations Rule

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Ethics Commission is considering a proposal to require some politically active nonprofits to reveal their anonymous donors. 

The San Antonio Express-News reports (http://bit.ly/1vp7HOC ) the eight-member commission presented a draft proposal Thursday. It seeks to require a nonprofit to disclose donors if 25 percent or more of the nonprofit's expenditures can be classified as politically motivated. It would also require disclosure if political contributions account for more than 25 percent of the group's total contributions in a calendar year.

The commission chairman says the group wants to inform the public about who is contributing to candidates.

A lawyer representing a nonprofit that would be affected says the proposal is an unconstitutional regulation of free speech.

The commission will accept public comments on the proposal for at least 30 days.