By: Harrison H.B. No. 3019
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to references to "the people's money" in state documents,
publications, and notices.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2051, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. STATE DOCUMENT REFERENCES TO THE PEOPLE'S MONEY
Sec. 2051.251. REFERENCES TO THE PEOPLE'S MONEY. (a) A
state official or state agency that, in an official document,
publication, or notice published or issued in print or on a publicly
accessible Internet web page, undertakes to refer to money held by
this state, a state agency, or a state official that may be used
only for a public purpose of this state may not refer to that money
by a term or phrase other than the phrase "the people's money"
except as provided by this section. The official or agency shall
use the phrase "the people's money" instead of other common terms or
phrases for money described by this subsection, including:
(1) government funds;
(2) government money;
(3) public funds;
(4) public money;
(5) state funds; and
(6) state money.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) a state statute;
(2) the Texas Constitution;
(3) a document concerning, or a publication of, state
agency rules that for reasons of legal clarity must rely on phrasing
used in state statutes or the Texas Constitution; and
(4) a reference to money this state holds in trust for
the benefit of a person other than this state or a governmental
entity of this state.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.