BILL ANALYSIS
By: West, Royce
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, public officials must only report the receipt of a gift valued over $250, but are not required to disclose the actual value of the gift. In addition, current law requires lobbyists to disclose the manner in which the gift was made, e.g., check or money order, without disclosing the actual amount.
As proposed, S.B. 129 requires the disclosure of the actual value of gifts received by lawmakers. The intent of this bill is to increase public confidence and foster greater ethical responsibility on behalf of lawmakers and lobbyists in providing full disclosure of monetary gifts made by lobbyists and lobbying firms.
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
SECTION 1. Amends Section 572.022, Government Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:
(d) Requires that an individual filing a financial statement, reported in accordance with Section 572.023(b)(7), include a statement of value for a gift of cash or a cash equivalent, such as a negotiable instrument or gift certificate.
SECTION 2. Amends the heading of Section 572.022, Government Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 572.022. REPORTING CATEGORIES; REQUIRED DESCRIPTIONS.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2008.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2007.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.