BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 2154
Committee Report (Substituted)
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.
C.S.S.B. 2154 amends current law relating to providing that certain travel vouchers submitted by peace officers assigned to a protective detail are confidential.
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. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN PEACE OFFICER VOUCHERS. (a) Provides that a voucher submitted or to be submitted under Section 660.027 (Vouchers) is confidential and may not be disclosed under Chapter 552 (Public Information) if:
(1) the voucher is submitted or is to be submitted for payment or reimbursement of a travel expense incurred by a peace officer who is assigned to provide protection for an elected official of this state or a member of the elected official's family; and
(2) the travel expense was incurred by the peace officer in providing protection for the elected official or family.
(b) Requires a state agency that submits a voucher described by Subsection (a) to provide to a person, on request, a summary of the amounts paid or reimbursed by the comptroller of public accounts in response to the voucher and a summary of any goods and services acquired for which a travel expense is claimed under this voucher.
SECTION 2. Provides that Section 660.2035, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies according to its terms in relation to travel vouchers that have not been released before the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.