BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 281
81R2279 JD-D By: Nelson
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
During the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, the legislature passed legislation prohibiting the publication of federal and state judges' residential information in public records such as voter registration applications, voter rolls, and property appraisal records. This law is intended to protect these judges from retaliation by offenders whom they have sentenced. However, the information of judges' spouses was not given the same protection, weakening the intent of the law.
As proposed, S.B. 281 includes residence information for the spouse of a federal and state judge included in public records such as voter registration applications, voter rolls, and property appraisal records among the information that is confidential or that does not constitute public information for purposes of Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code.
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 Section 13.0021(b), Election Code, to require the applicant, if the registration applicant is a federal judge, state judge, or the spouse of a state judge or federal judge who seeks to have the applicant's residence address omitted from the registration list, to include with the application an affidavit stating that the applicant is a federal judge or state judge, or the spouse of a federal judge or state judge.
SECTION 2. Amends Sections 13.004(c) and (d), Election Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 15.0215(b), Election Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 15.081(d), Election Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 18.005(c), Election Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 18.066(b), Election Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 7. Reenacts and amends Section 25.025(a), Tax Code, as amended by Chapters 594 (H.B. 41), 621 (H.B. 455), and 851 (H.B. 1141), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 8. Effective date: September 1, 2009.