Bill
SB 200
85(R) - 2017
Senate Finance
Senate Finance
Local Government
Vote Recommendation
Vote Yes; Amend
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
Author(s)
Donna Campbell
Bill Caption
Relating to public access to boundary, financial, and tax rate information of certain political subdivisions.
Fiscal Notes
From the LBB: a negative impact of ($796,000) through the biennium ending
August 31, 2019, assuming the agency implements the program. The agency is not required to
implement the legislation in the absence of an appropriation.
Bill Analysis
SB 200 would require the Texas Education Agency to annually transmit an electronic copy of each school district’s adopted budget and financial reports to the comptroller.
The comptroller would create an internet database, The Political Subdivision Information Warehouse, that contains information regarding all political subdivisions that are authorized to impose an ad valorem or sales and use tax or to issue bonds. The database must include the ad valorem tax rates of the political subdivisions and the boundaries of the subdivision. The database would be free to the public.
Vote Recommendation Notes
SB 200 enhances our limited government principle by increasing information available to the public which increases transparency. However, we believe this bill can be strengthened by including all political subdivisions and all tax and fee rates of each subdivision.
Organizations Supporting
Texas Apartment Association
Texas Taxpayers & Research Association