Texas House Bill HB1851

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the reporting of certain state agency contract information and the posting of that information on the Internet.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1851 is expected to enhance the level of oversight and accountability over state agency contracts. By requiring such disclosures, the bill aims to reduce potential mismanagement of resources and ensure that state spending is aligned with legislative intentions and public interest. It also establishes a framework to hold agencies accountable for their contracts through public access to pertinent information.

Summary

House Bill 1851 addresses the reporting and transparency of certain state agency contracts by amending provisions in the Government Code. This bill mandates that state agencies must provide written notice to the Legislative Budget Board for contracts exceeding $50,000 within 30 days of their execution or modification. Additionally, it requires state agencies to post these contracts on their internet website's home page, thereby increasing transparency about how public funds are spent and improving accessibility for the public to review state contracts and related documents.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding HB 1851 mainly revolve around the implications of increased reporting requirements on state agencies, particularly regarding their administrative burden. Some may argue that the administrative load may hinder efficiency, while proponents insist that transparency is vital for good governance. There may also be discussions on whether the bill sufficiently addresses privacy concerns and the safeguarding of sensitive contractual information while improving public access.