By: Ellis S.B. No. 145
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the corporate integrity unit within the
office of the attorney general.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 402.0231 to read as follows:
Sec. 402.0231. CORPORATE INTEGRITY UNIT. (a) In this
section, "corporate fraud" means a violation of state or federal
law or rules relating to fraud committed by a corporation, limited
liability company, or registered limited liability partnership or
an officer, director, or partner of those entities while acting in a
representative capacity.
(b) A corporate integrity unit is created within the office
of the attorney general to assist in the enforcement of the laws
relating to corporate fraud or other similar illegal activities.
The office shall:
(1) assist district attorneys and county attorneys in
the investigation and prosecution of corporate fraud or other
similar illegal activities allegedly committed by corporations,
limited liability companies, and registered limited liability
partnerships;
(2) assist state agencies with investigation of
complaints and administrative enforcement actions for corporate
fraud violations, including the assessment of an administrative
penalty or other administrative sanction;
(3) serve as a clearinghouse for information relating
to the investigation and prosecution of corporate fraud and other
similar illegal activities in this state; and
(4) maintain a hotline to receive calls from persons
who have information regarding possible corporate fraud violations
and other similar illegal activities.
(c) To the extent allowed by law, a state agency or local law
enforcement agency shall cooperate with the corporate integrity
unit by providing information requested by the unit as necessary to
carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The corporate integrity unit shall refer calls received
on the hotline to the appropriate governmental entity for review or
further action, including a possible investigation.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.