Texas House Bill HB1707

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/15/09

Caption

Relating to the required disclosure under the public information law of information pertaining to an employee or trustee of a public employee pension system.

Impact

If passed, HB1707 would substantially influence existing statutes that govern public information by explicitly stating that the financial details of employees associated with public pension systems are not confidential. This stipulation could potentially lead to a shift in how transparency is managed within public entities, encouraging greater scrutiny over public spending and the compensation structures of pension systems. Citizens and interest groups advocating for transparency will likely welcome this bill as a progressive step towards improved governance.

Summary

House Bill 1707 aims to enhance transparency regarding public employees' compensation within public employee pension systems by mandating the disclosure of certain information. Specifically, it specifies that data related to employment, salaries, benefits, and bonuses for employees or trustees of public pension systems shall be considered public information. This legislative move is aligned with the principles of open government and public accountability, emphasizing the right of citizens to access information about public officials and their financial benefits.

Contention

Notably, the bill might face opposition from various stakeholders, including current employees and trustees of public pension systems who may view this move as an invasion of privacy. Critics may argue that exposing such detailed financial information could deter individuals from accepting public roles or lead to unwarranted public scrutiny. Balancing the principles of public accountability with individuals' rights to privacy will be a significant point of debate associated with HB1707.