BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1285
79R15033 JD-D By: Swinford (Wentworth)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As defined by Chapter 552, Government Code, an "audit working paper" includes all information, documentary or otherwise, prepared or maintained in conducting an audit or preparing an audit report, including intra-agency and interagency communications, and drafts of the audit report or portions of those drafts.
Currently, an audit working paper of the state auditor, a state agency, an institution of higher education, a county, or a municipality is excepted from the disclosure requirements under the Public Information Act.
H.B. 1285 makes conforming changes to the definition of "audit" to include an audit authorized or required by a municipal charter or ordinance, or by a county ordinance.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.116(a), Government Code, to except an audit working paper of an audit of a joint board operating under Section 22.074 (Joint Board), Transportation Code, from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information).
SECTION 2. Amends Section 552.116(b)(1), Government Code, to redefine "audit."
SECTION 3. Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies to an audit working paper created before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS
Committee Amendment Number One
(1) On page 1, lines 5-10, strike Section 1 of the bill and insert:
SECTION ___. Amends Section 552.116(a), Government Code, to except an audit working paper of an audit of a joint board operating under Section 22.074 (Joint Board), Transportation Code, from the requirements of Section 552.021 (Availability of Public Information).
SECTION ___. Amends Section 552.116(b)(1), Government Code, to redefine "audit."
(2) Renumber existing sections of the bill accordingly.