Bill

SB 612

85(R) - 2017
Senate State Affairs
Senate State Affairs
General Investigating & Ethics

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Brian Birdwell
John Whitmire

Bill Caption

Relating to complaints filed with and certain other filings submitted to the Texas Ethics Commission.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 612 would update many of the procedures related to complaints and filings submitted to the Texas Ethics Commission. Most significantly, this bill would require the commission to propose an agreement with the respondent or dismiss the compaint within 120 days after the filing of a complaint. If the agreement is rejected, a preliminary review hearing would be held. This bill would also introduce protections against double jeopardy for the same complaint.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would provide greater protections, due process, and recourse for individual who have a complaint filed against them with the Texas Ethics Commission. Because this bill would provide greater accountability with a government agency and bolster the due process afforded to someone accused of a violation, we support SB 612 as uplifting our principles of limited government and individual liberty.