Via Vince, State Rep. Todd Smith (R, Euless) has filed HB225, which could aptly be called the “Bill Ceverha Bill” because it would finally clean up that nasty and confusing little loophole in which a briefcase full of cash given to a state official could be disclosed simply as “briefcase”. The relevant text:
(d) For a gift of cash or a cash equivalent such as negotiable instrument or gift certificate that is reported in accordance with Section 572.023(b)(7), the individual filing the statement shall include in the description of the gift a statement of the value of the gift.
Now I can’t wait to hear the Texas Ethics Commission tell me that it all depends on what the definition of “value” is.