Texas Senate Bill SB464

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the availability on the Internet of certain registrations and reports filed by lobbyists.

Impact

The introduction of SB464 is expected to have a significant impact on state laws concerning the reporting and accessibility of lobbyist data. By stipulating that registrations and reports are to be published online, the bill fosters a more open governmental process. This is seen as a critical step towards rebuilding public trust in elected officials and the lobbying process, which has often been scrutinized for lack of transparency. The five-year holding period for the availability of these documents further emphasizes the commitment to long-term transparency in lobbying practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 464 aims to enhance transparency regarding lobbying activities by making certain registrations and reports required from lobbyists publicly available online. Under this bill, the Texas lobbying commission is mandated to upload each registration or report filed under Chapter 305 of the Government Code to its website within ten business days of receipt. This initiative seeks to provide greater public access to lobbying activity information, allowing citizens and watchdog groups to better monitor lobbyist influence on government decisions.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB464 revolves around privacy concerns for individual lobbyists. While the bill mandates that the Texas lobbying commission ensure the home addresses of registrants are redacted, some stakeholders argue that the overall push for greater transparency could expose lobbyists to public scrutiny and potential harassment. Additionally, there may be debates concerning the efficacy of the bill in truly diminishing unethical lobbying practices, with some legislators questioning whether mere availability of information is sufficient to change the culture of lobbying in Texas.