BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2154
By: Wentworth
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Certain information regarding travel vouchers is available under the Public Information Act (Act). Often, peace officers provide personal protection for an elected official or a member of the elected official's family. Some courts have interpreted the Act to require disclosure of these travel vouchers, including the location where the officer and elected official spent the night, ate dinner, and other information. This disclosure could have adverse safety consequences.
As proposed, S.B. 2154 provides that these travel vouchers are confidential and not subject to disclosure except that the governmental entity will on request summarize the amounts claimed and the corresponding products or services purchased.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 660, Government Code, by adding Section 660.2035, as follows:
Sec. 660.2035. TRAVEL VOUCHERS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS. (a) Provides that a travel voucher submitted by a peace officer for travel authorized and required to provide personal protection for an elected official or a member of an elected official's family is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public Information).
(b) Requires the governmental body employing a peace officer who submits a voucher described in Subsection (a), upon request, to summarize the amounts claimed and the corresponding products or services purchased as described in such voucher(s).
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.