BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1807

By: Zaffirini

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas Ethics Commission has indicated that allowing notifications subsequent to an initial notification regarding sworn complaints to be sent by regular mail would immediately save the commission a few thousand dollars in mailing costs, freeing up funds that could be better allocated for other purposes.  As mail costs rise in the future, there will be a concomitant increase in the value of this legislative change in relation to the commission's budget.  This legislation does not change the requirement that the commission send initial notification by registered or certified mail.

S.B. 1807 authorizes the commission to send any notification subsequent to the initial notification regarding the filing of a sworn complaint by regular mail unless the person has notified the commission to send all notices by the same method as the initial notice.

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

S.B. 1807 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Ethics Commission, after its required initial written notice regarding the filing of a sworn complaint has been sent to a person by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, to send any additional notices regarding the complaint by regular mail unless the person has notified the commission to send all notices by registered or certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.