Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB783

Caption

Relating to the contents of and recordkeeping requirements relating to personal financial statements filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Impact

By establishing stricter recordkeeping obligations for financial statements, HB783 seeks to bolster transparency and accountability among public officials in Texas. The legislation enhances public trust by ensuring that financial disclosures are detailed and accurate, thereby providing Texas residents with better access to information regarding the financial dealings of those in public service. The changes will assist the Texas Ethics Commission in maintaining public records that are easily accessible and reliable for public scrutiny.

Summary

House Bill 783 focuses on enhancing the contents and recordkeeping requirements related to personal financial statements that are filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. The bill aims to amend existing laws to ensure that financial records submitted by individuals are comprehensive and foster transparency in governmental financial disclosures. The amendments include specific requirements for listing sources of income, assets, and liabilities, ultimately seeking to create a clear framework for tracking the financial activities of public officials and individuals filing such statements.

Contention

There has been discussion about the potential impact of these additional requirements on the individuals responsible for filing these statements. Some may argue that the more rigorous financial disclosure expectations could serve as a deterrent for certain individuals from pursuing public office due to the perceived complexity and burden. Additionally, there is concern among some stakeholders regarding the implications for privacy, as more detailed disclosures might expose sensitive personal financial information to public view. Balancing transparency with privacy considerations remains a notable point of contention surrounding the bill.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB4053

Relating to the contents of the personal financial statement filed by public officers and candidates.

TX SB320

Relating to complaints filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

TX HB1585

Relating to matters affecting the powers and duties of the Texas Ethics Commission.

TX HB1441

Relating to the inclusion of the mailing address of certain campaign treasurers in appointments and reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

TX HB4772

Relating to an excise tax on, and storage, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements for, certain nontobacco nicotine products; providing a civil penalty; imposing a tax.

TX SB2070

Relating to the funding of projects by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to promote the reliability and resiliency of the power grid in this state; authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds.

TX HB2843

Relating to the authorization, licensing, and regulation of casino gaming and sports wagering in this state, to the creation, powers, and duties of the Texas Gaming Commission, to the support of the horse racing industry and reform of horse racing and greyhound racing, and to other provisions related to gambling; imposing and authorizing administrative and civil penalties; imposing taxes; imposing and authorizing fees; requiring occupational licenses; creating criminal offenses.

TX SB2105

Relating to the registration of and certain other requirements relating to data brokers; providing a civil penalty and authorizing a fee.

TX SB2308

Relating to taxes on e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products; imposing taxes; imposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

TX HB4353

Relating to taxes on e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products; imposing taxes; imposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Similar Bills

TX HB16

Relating to the ethics of public servants, including the authority and duties of the Texas Ethics Commission, the regulation of certain contributions and expenditures, and the reporting of political contributions and political expenditures and personal financial information; creating a criminal offense.