(a) A member of the legislature or a specific-purpose committee or legislative caucus supporting or assisting the member that receives and refuses a political contribution or contributions in violation of this subchapter during the member's impeding absence shall return the contribution or contributions to the contributor not later than the fifth day after the date of receipt.
(b) A political contribution made by United States mail or by common or contract carrier is not considered received during an impeding absence if the contribution was properly addressed and placed with postage or carrier charges prepaid or prearranged in the mail or delivered to the contract carrier before the beginning of the absence. The date indicated by the post office cancellation mark or the common or contract carrier documents is considered to be the date the contribution was placed in the mail or delivered to the common or contract carrier unless proven otherwise.