Louisiana House Bill HB264

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/14
• Refer: 3/10/14
• Report Pass: 4/9/14
• Engrossed: 4/21/14
• Refer: 4/22/14
• Report Pass: 5/21/14
• Enrolled: 5/28/14
• Chaptered: 6/12/14
• Passed: 6/12/14

Caption

Clarifies provision requiring disclosure of interest in immovable property

Impact

By mandating the disclosure of property interests, HB264 is expected to have a significant impact on state laws concerning financial disclosures among public servants. The enhanced requirements may lead to increased scrutiny of public officials' financial dealings, promoting ethical standards and public trust in governance. This legislation potentially aligns with broader efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency within state government, making it more critical for officials to declare any substantial real estate interests.

Summary

House Bill 264 aims to clarify the provisions relating to the financial disclosure of interests in immovable property by certain public officials and servants in Louisiana. The bill modifies existing statutes to ensure that all individuals required to file financial statements must include detailed information about any parcels of immovable property they or their spouses own, provided that the fair market or use value of those properties exceeds two thousand dollars. The objective of this amendment is to enhance the transparency and accountability of public officials regarding their financial interests.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB264 appears to be supportive, particularly among those advocating for greater transparency in government. Legislators who pushed for this bill likely believe that by requiring clear disclosure, they can help create a more ethical public administration. However, there could be some concerns from officials regarding privacy or the administrative burden of disclosing such information, although these have not been explicitly highlighted in public discussions.

Contention

There do not seem to be major points of contention publicly articulated regarding HB264, but as with many bills focused on financial disclosure, there may be underlying concerns about privacy for public officials. However, the general consensus seems to lean towards appreciation of the bill's intent to promote clearer financial ethics and prevent potential conflicts of interest among public servants, thus fostering a system where officials are held to higher accountability standards.