BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2468

                                                                                                                                      By: Solomons

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Except for federal tax filings, there is currently no mandated disclosure of the extra compensation earned by justices of the peace performing weddings. The purpose of this bill is to address this situation by requiring justices of the peace subject to the same disclosure rules as other county officers. 

 

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

 

The bill would amend the Government Code to amend the definition of "county officer" in Section 159.002 to include a justice of the peace. The effect of this change would be that in counties over 100,000 population, the justices of the peace would be required to file the financial disclosure currently required of the county judge, county commissioners and the county attorney.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.