Texas House Bill HB1931

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to reporting requirements for gift or entertainment expenditures made by a person for a member of the board of trustees of an independent school district.

Impact

The implications of HB 1931 are significant in terms of enhancing transparency and accountability among school trustees. By enforcing stricter reporting requirements, the bill aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest that could arise from undisclosed gifts or entertaining expenditures. This change intends to foster a culture of ethical conduct among school board members and those who engage with them, making it more challenging for unethical practices to go unnoticed.

Summary

House Bill 1931 introduces new reporting requirements for gifts and entertainment expenditures made to members of the board of trustees of independent school districts in Texas. Specifically, the bill mandates that any person providing gifts or expenditures that exceed a specified threshold must file a detailed report with the Texas Ethics Commission. This report must include the giver's identifying details, the nature of the gift or expenditure, and details regarding any compensation that may relate to influencing board actions.

Contention

While supporters of the bill argue it is a necessary measure for improving integrity within the school systems, there may be concerns regarding the burden of compliance on those wishing to provide legitimate gifts or entertainment to trustees. Additionally, there may be debates on the thresholds set for reporting and whether they effectively balance transparency with practicality. The legislation ultimately seeks to shift how such activities are monitored and reported, potentially leading to substantial changes in interactions between school districts and their external partners.