BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2933

                                                                                                                                            By: Delisi

                                                                                                                                       State Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Current statutes governing state employee ethics policies state that these employees "should not" do certain acts that would reasonable be interpreted to compromise their ethics. HB 2933 changes this to "shall not" and requires agencies to adopt ethics policies consistent with these policies and inform newly hired employees of these policies.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Amends Section 572 of the Government Code, prohibiting a state officer or employee from accepting gifts.  Requires each state agency to adopt a written ethics policy and distribute a copy of the policy to each new employee.  Subchapters E and F of Chapter 571 on complaint procedures and hearings and enforcement do not apply to a violation of this section.  Agencies are required to adopt an ethics policy and distribute to all existing employees by January 1, 2006. Section 571.051 of the government code, as amended by HB 2933, applies only to conduct of a state officer or employee that occurs on or after September 1, 2005.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005