Louisiana House Bill HB800

Louisiana 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/18
• Refer: 4/3/18
• Report Pass: 4/10/18
• Engrossed: 4/18/18
• Refer: 4/19/18
• Report Pass: 4/30/18
• Enrolled: 5/10/18
• Chaptered: 5/15/18
• Passed: 5/15/18

Caption

Authorizes the secretary of the Department of Revenue to disclose certain taxpayer information to the state treasurer (EN NO IMPACT GF RV See Note)

Impact

The introduction of HB 800 is aimed at enhancing the operations of the Department of the Treasury regarding unclaimed property. By allowing access to taxpayer names and addresses, the Treasury can more effectively identify and reach out to individuals who may be eligible for unclaimed funds, thereby potentially increasing the collection of unclaimed property. This could lead to more efficient operations within state departments and better serve the citizens who might not be aware of their entitlement to such unclaimed assets.

Summary

House Bill 800 is designed to modify the confidentiality provisions surrounding taxpayer information in Louisiana. Specifically, it grants authority to the Secretary of the Department of Revenue to disclose the names and addresses of taxpayers to the Department of the Treasury. This information can be used exclusively for the purpose of managing unclaimed property under Louisiana law. Importantly, the bill ensures that no actual tax data will be disclosed, maintaining a level of privacy for the individual taxpayer’s financial information.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 800 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, with no recorded opposition during the voting process. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 34-0, indicating broad support amongst legislators. Supporters argue that the bill is a practical measure to streamline the process of handling unclaimed properties and is beneficial to taxpayers. The lack of dissent suggests that lawmakers find value in balancing taxpayer confidentiality with the state's need for effective treasury operations.

Contention

While there was a consensus on the bill's passage, some potential areas of contention could arise regarding the balance of confidentiality and the extent of data shared. Advocates for taxpayer privacy may raise concerns over any future implications of this disclosure of data, even if no specific tax data is shared. The ongoing dialogue regarding taxpayer privacy versus administrative efficiency is likely to continue as the bill is implemented and its effects are observed.