BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 16

By: Flynn

Transparency in State Agency Operations, Select

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas state agencies currently are required to make financial statements public.  However, interested parties contend that internal audits and risk assessment reports of our state agencies should also be public information.  H.B. 16 seeks to make audits and risk assessment reports available to the public.

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

H.B. 16 amends the Government Code to require a state agency to make available to the public by posting on the agency's Internet website an audit of the agency, including an internal audit and a risk assessment report, at the time and in the manner provided by the state auditor.  The bill defines "state agency" as a board, commission, department, institute, office, or other agency in the executive branch of state government that is created by the constitution or a statute of this state, including an institution of higher education.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.