82S10183 EAH-F
By: Zedler H.B. No. 66
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the availability of certain school district financial
information on districts' Internet websites.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 44, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 44.0031 to read as follows:
Sec. 44.0031. INTERNET ACCESS TO FINANCIAL DATA. (a)
Except as otherwise provided by this section, a school district
shall post on the district's Internet website or on an Internet
website hosted by the district's business or financial services
department for viewing by interested persons a copy of the
district's:
(1) annual budget;
(2) end-of-year financial report; and
(3) checking account transaction register.
(b) A school district may not include in the district's
checking account transaction register under Subsection (a)(3) a
check issued to a district employee in payment of salary, wages, or
an employment stipend.
(c) A school district may not post any information protected
by state or federal law regarding confidentiality of health or
education records.
(d) The superintendent and chief financial officer of a
school district shall jointly notify the commissioner when the
financial data required under Subsection (a) is available to
interested persons. The notification must include information
regarding the current and expected costs associated with
implementing and maintaining the requirements of this section.
(e) If a school district is unable to post all or part of the
financial data required under Subsection (a), the superintendent
and chief financial officer of the school district shall jointly
submit a letter to the commissioner explaining why the district is
unable to post the financial data, including the results of any
applicable cost analysis performed by or for the district.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2012.