Texas House Bill HB1945

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 1/17/25

Caption

Relating to the confidentiality of a public or private school employee's home address information in property tax appraisal records.

Impact

If passed, HB 1945 would impact the regulation of property tax appraisal records by ensuring that school employees' home addresses remain confidential. This change aligns with existing privacy protections for other categories of individuals, like law enforcement and family violence victims, thereby establishing a broader privacy framework within Texas law. The intent is to better protect school employees from potential risks associated with their information being publicly accessible.

Summary

House Bill 1945 is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the confidentiality of home address information for public and private school employees in Texas. The bill seeks to modify Section 25.025 of the Tax Code, currently addressing privacy protections for specific groups, by extending similar protections to school employees. This effort underscores the importance of safeguarding the personal information of individuals working in education against potential risks such as harassment or threats, particularly in a time when personal data can be accessed more readily through public records.

Contention

The bill may generate discussion regarding the balance between public transparency and individual privacy rights. Supporters argue that the need for safety and confidentiality in the context of increasing concerns for school employee safety outweighs any push for transparency in public records. Conversely, opponents may suggest that such measures could reduce public oversight and accountability regarding the school system, presenting arguments that emphasize the need to keep records open to the public to ensure transparency in government dealings.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Tax Code

• Chapter 25. Local Appraisal
  • Section: 025

Occupations Code

• Chapter 1701. Law Enforcement Officers
  • Section: 001

Family Code

• Chapter 71. Definitions
  • Section: New Section

Education Code

• Chapter 5. Definitions
  • Section: New Section