Limitation on candidate contribution by individual and political committee.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 18-38
in effectSec. 18-38. - Limitation on candidate contribution by individual and political committee.
(a) No person shall make contributions to any single candidate in excess of $5,000.00 per contribution cycle. No political committee shall make contributions to any single candidate in excess of $10,000.00 per contribution cycle.
(b) A candidate may utilize unexpended political contributions raised in connection with a non-city elective public office in an amount not to exceed the maximum contribution that the candidate may accept from a single donor under subsection (a), regardless of category, provided he files with the city secretary a statement of intent to do so at the time of the filing with the city secretary of his campaign treasurer designation, or if the filing of a campaign treasurer designation is not required, prior to the making of any expenditure in connection with his campaign for city elective office. The provisions of this subsection shall also be applicable to a run-off election, provided that the statement of intent shall be filed within three days after the run-off election is called.
(c) A coordinated campaign expenditure shall be considered a contribution subject to the limits set forth in subsection (a) and subject to the disclosure requirements for campaign contributions made to a candidate for city office. As used in this subsection, the term coordinated campaign expenditure means a payment, other than a direct contribution, for an activity, service or product that contains express advocacy for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for city office and is made in cooperation, consultation, or concert, with or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate for city office or a candidate's representative, agent, or employee.
(1) Coordinated campaign expenditures shall include, but not be limited to the following:
a. Voter identification and/or get-out-the-vote activity on behalf of a specific candidate for city office; and
b. A public communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate for city office and that promotes or supports a candidate for that office, or attacks or opposes a candidate for that office, or is suggestive of no plausible meaning other than an exhortation to vote for or against a specific candidate.
(2) If an individual or organization is engaging in express advocacy for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for city office, the following shall not be considered a coordinated campaign expenditure:
a. Direct monetary contributions made to a candidate for city office;
b. In kind contributions made to a candidate for city office;
c. Payments by an individual or organization for the individual's or organization's overhead expenses including but not limited to rent, utilities, taxes, office supplies or salaries; or
d. Volunteer (unpaid) activity on the part of the individual or the members of the organization.
(d) As used in this section, the term person shall not include a political committee.
1) March 5, 2016 (or April 5, 2016 as applicable) through December 31, 2017;
2) January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019; and
3) (For run-off candidates) November 6, 2019 through December 31, 2019.
(Ord. No. 92-1245, § 5, 9-16-92; Ord. No. 94-1387, § 4, 12-21-94; Ord. No. 01-799, § 1, 8-22-01; Ord. No. 05-73, § 1, 1-25-05; Ord. No. 2011-47, § 16, 1-12-2011; Ord. No. 2016-528, § 6, 6-29-2016, eff. 7-1-2016)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH18ETFIDI_ARTIVLISOCO_S18-38LICACOINPOCOFetched: 10/26/2026