Bill
HB 1294
84(R) - 2015
House General Investigating & Ethics
House General Investigating & Ethics
Elections
Vote Recommendation
Yes
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
-
Positive
-
Neutral
-
Neutral
Author(s)
Giovanni Capriglione
Bill Caption
Relating to the disclosure on personal financial statements of certain contracts or subcontracts with governmental entities.
Fiscal Notes
No fiscal implication to the state is expected.
Bill Analysis
This legislation would amend Government Code to require a state officer, partisan or independent
candidate for an elected office or officer, or state party chair, is required to file with the
Texas Ethics Commission, and needs to include identification of certain types of written contracts,
including a name of each party in the contract, if the cost of the contract exceeds $10,000. Also, if the individual, the individual ’s
spouse, the individual ’s dependent child, or any business entity of
which the individual, the individual ’s spouse, or depend child has 50% interest in or more, are also necessary to disclose.
Vote Recommendation Notes
We are supportive of government transparency in regard to potential conflicts of interest.
While the existing law is somewhat more invasive then it should be for financial disclosure purposes, including a requirement to list a party's dependent child, HB 1294 would bring nothing to public view that an open records request could not. The bill presents supports accountability and, therefore, our personal responsibility principle. We support HB 1294.