Relating to the maintenance by the Legislative Budget Board of a searchable database containing certain budget information.
Impact
The introduction of this bill would significantly impact state laws regarding public access to budgetary information. By establishing an online database, it could foster greater government accountability and allow citizens to engage more actively with how public funds are appropriated and spent. It also aims to improve the efficiency of information dissemination from the LBB, which has implications for other governmental agencies and their interactions with the public.
Summary
SB195 aims to enhance budget transparency in Texas by mandating the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to maintain a searchable database containing certain budget information. This legislation is designed to provide the public with direct access to raw data that the LBB uses to prepare the general appropriations bill. The proposed database will be an online resource, ensuring that citizens can search, extract, and analyze budget details efficiently and in an open format that promotes transparency.
Sentiment
The sentiment around SB195 is largely positive, as it is viewed as a step forward in promoting transparency and accountability in state budgeting processes. Supporters, including various civic groups and accountability advocates, see the bill as an essential tool for encouraging civic engagement and oversight of budgetary decisions. However, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of maintaining the database without incurring additional costs to the state, which could be a point of contention.
Contention
One notable point of contention is the provision that stipulates the LBB can only post and update information on the database if it uses existing resources at no additional cost or if it receives outside funding. This aspect may raise questions about the sustainability of the project and its long-term dependability on external resources. Furthermore, the stipulation to exclude confidential information could lead to debates about what constitutes relevant, publicly shareable data versus protected information.
Relating to the creation and maintenance by an appraisal district of a publicly available Internet database of information regarding protest hearings conducted by the appraisal review board established for the district.
Relating to an annual state budget and legislative budget sessions in even-numbered years and to political contributions made during a legislative session.
Relating to the inclusion of certain information about classroom and student expenditures in the notice of the budget and proposed tax rate meeting of the board of trustees of a school district.
Relating to the confidentiality of certain records containing applicant or student information that are held by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.