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.