Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1804

Filed
1/9/25  
Out of House Committee
4/17/25  
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to monitoring and enforcement by the Texas Ethics Commission of the requirement that certain reports filed with a political subdivision are available on the Internet; providing an administrative penalty.

Impact

The implications of HB1804 on state laws are significant as it requires local governments to adhere to new standards of transparency concerning report availability. By establishing an enforcement mechanism through the Texas Ethics Commission, the bill seeks to ensure that all political subdivisions comply with the established reporting requirements. This may lead to increased access to public documentation, allowing citizens greater insight into local governmental operations and decisions. However, the administrative penalties introduced by the bill could also pressure local entities to allocate more resources to ensure compliance, potentially affecting their budgets and operations.

Summary

House Bill 1804 relates to the monitoring and enforcement of the requirement for political subdivisions to make certain reports available on their Internet websites. Specifically, the bill tasks the Texas Ethics Commission with developing procedures to monitor compliance with these reporting requirements. If a political subdivision is found to be non-compliant, the Commission is authorized to issue written notices and may impose administrative penalties up to $2,500 for continued non-compliance. This legislation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in local governance by ensuring that essential public reports are accessible online.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB1804 appears supportive among proponents of government transparency and accountability. Advocates argue that the bill enhances public trust in local governments by ensuring that citizens can easily access relevant information about their political subdivisions. However, there are concerns regarding the potential burden on local entities to comply with these requirements, particularly from those who view the penalties as excessive or unnecessary. The balance between promoting transparency and imposing compliance costs is a recurring theme in discussions about the bill.

Contention

Notable points of contention arise from the bill's stipulation of administrative penalties for non-compliance. Opponents of HB1804 worry that these penalties might disproportionately impact smaller political subdivisions with limited resources. Critics also argue that the bill may create a punitive environment rather than a cooperative one, potentially leading to a culture of fear regarding compliance. The timing of the implementation and the necessity of these measures in the context of existing transparency initiatives also spark debates among legislators.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Election Code

  • Chapter 141. Candidacy For Public Office Generally
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 254. Political Reporting
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section

Government Code

  • Chapter 572. Personal Financial Disclosure, Standards Of Conduct, And Conflict Of Interest
    • Section: New Section

Local Government Code

  • Chapter 145. Financial Disclosure By And Standards Of Conduct For Local Government Officers
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 159. Financial Disclosure By County Officers And Employees
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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