Bill Caption

Relating to the disclosure of gifts by vendors to certain local government officers and of certain relationships with local government officers; creating a criminal offense.

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would require a vendor that has or is seeking a contract with a local government entity and given one or more gifts during the preceding calendar quarter with an aggregate value of more than $100 to a local government officer or a member of their family to submit a disclosure form not later than the 15th day of the first month of each calendar quarter. The bill would make failure to submit the disclosure form with the appropriate governmental entity before the 15th day after the date the government entity sends the notice to the vendor a class C misdemeanor. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would further our limited government and personal responsibility principles by increasing government transparency with regards to contracts with vendors. The bill would hold government officials to a high standard and require the vendors to report any gifts with an aggregate value of $100 or higher to a local government official that the vendor contracts with, meaning that the public would be aware of any potential conflicts of interest. For these reasons, we support this legislation.