BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                              C.S.H.B. 1290

80R19473 JRH-D                                                                          By: Macias, Allen, Alma (Fraser)

State Affairs

5/15/2007

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law authorizes a person to file a petition to appeal a final decision made by the Texas Ethics Commission (commission).  However, without clarification, this statute may authorize any person to file a petition to appeal, regardless of involvement or lack thereof in the complaint. 

C.S.H.B. 1290 authorizes only the respondent or the respondent's agent, rather than a person, to file a petition to appeal a final decision of the commission. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 571.133(a) and (b), Government Code, as follows:

(a)  Authorizes the respondent or the respondent's agent, rather than a person, to file a petition to appeal a final decision of the Texas Ethics Commission.

(b)  Requires the petition to be filed not later than the 30th business day after the date the respondent, rather than the person, received the decision.

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.