Texas House Bill HB485

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 12/10/14

Caption

Relating to the availability on the Internet of personal financial statements filed by certain state officeholders.

Impact

If enacted, HB 485 would modify existing statutes related to the disclosure of financial information by state officials, including members of the legislature, executive officers, judicial officers, and members of the State Board of Education. It specifies that the financial statements must remain accessible on the commission's website for ten years, thereby ensuring long-term public access to this important information. By facilitating easier access to financial records, the bill seeks to foster a culture of openness and integrity within state governance.

Summary

House Bill 485 focuses on enhancing transparency in government by mandating the online public availability of personal financial statements filed by specific state officeholders. The bill specifically requires the commission to post these financial statements on its official website within ten business days of submission. This measure is aimed at promoting accountability among elected officials, enabling the public to easily access financial disclosures that may reveal potential conflicts of interest or unethical behavior.

Contention

While the bill is generally seen as a step towards greater governmental transparency, potential points of contention could arise regarding the privacy of the individuals involved. By requiring the posting of personal financial documents online, there are concerns about the potential exposure of sensitive information. The bill, however, addresses these concerns by mandating the removal of home addresses from the publicly available documents. This compromise aims to balance the need for transparency with the privacy rights of individual officials.