SRC-MAX H.B. 1659 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1659
By: Gallego (Ellis)
Jurisprudence
5-17-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, district attorneys and criminal district attorneys file
personal financial disclosure statements by the same requirements as
county officials.  However, district attorneys and criminal district
attorneys do not have to file these statements, in some situations, if
they run unopposed.  And current law does not make district attorneys file
the same type of personal financial disclosure statements.  This bill sets
forth provisions regarding personal financial disclosure and standards of
conduct for district attorneys and criminal district attorneys.
                                                                           
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1659 sets forth provisions regarding personal financial
disclosure and standards of conduct for district attorneys and criminal
district attorneys. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 572.002(4), Government Code, to redefine
"elected officer" to mean a district attorney or criminal district
attorney. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 159, Local Government Code, as follows:

CHAPTER 159.  New heading:  FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY COUNTY OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES 

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 159A, Government Code, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER A.  New heading:  FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE BY CERTAIN COUNTY
OFFICERS 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 159.002(a), Local Government Code, to redefine
"county officer," rather than "county or district officer," to delete
district attorney or criminal district attorney from the definition. 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 159.004(a), Local Government Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 6. Amends Section 159.005(a), Local Government Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 7. Amends Section 159.008, Local Government Code, to make
conforming changes.   

SECTION 8. Amends Sections 159.009(a) and (c), Local Government Code, to
make conforming changes. 

SECTION 9. Amends Sections 159.014(a) and (c), Local Government Code,  to
make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

 SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 11. Requires a district attorney or criminal district attorney to
file a personal financial statement for 1997 with the Texas Ethics
Commission under Chapter 572, Government Code, as if subject to that
chapter for the entire year.  Provides that a district attorney or
criminal district attorney who was subject to Chapter 159A, Local
Government Code, as that subchapter existed before amendment by this Act,
is not required to file a personal financial statement for 1997 under this
subchapter.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 12. Emergency clause.