SRC-TNM S.B. 1333 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1333
By: Ellis
State Affairs
4-10-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, state agencies are required to file disclosure reports every
fiscal calendar quarter.  S.B. 1333 would require the disclosure report to
contain a statement on whether the registrant has received or expects to
receive any money, item of value, or financial benefit for the appearance
before, or contact with, the state agency.  S.B. 1333 would transfer the
duty of filing registrations before state agencies from the secretary of
state's office to the Texas Ethics Commission. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1333 outlines provisions regarding reporting of
representation before state agencies by state officers and employees. 

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 Sections 2004.004(b) and (c), Government Code, to
require a state agency to file a report with the Texas Ethics Commission
(commission), rather than the secretary of state. Makes a conforming
change. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 571.030(b), Government Code, to authorize money
in the state ethics fund to be appropriated only to the commission to
administer and enforce this chapter, Chapters 302, 305, 572,  2004, and
Title 15, Election Code. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 571.061(a), Government Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 571.091(a), Government Code, to require the
commission to prepare a written opinion answering the request of a person
subject to Chapter 2004, among others, for an opinion about the
application of any of these laws to the person in regard to a specified
existing or hypothetical factual situation. 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 6. Requires the secretary of state to transfer to the commission
all reports filed with the secretary of state under Chapter 2004,
Government Code, that the secretary of state is required to maintain under
Section 2004.004(c), Government Code, as that section existed before
amendment by this Act, not later than September 15, 1997. 

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.