BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2471

By: Rodriguez, Eddie

Government Efficiency & Reform

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that information contained in the pet registry records of a municipal shelter, including a pet owner's name, address, and other identifying information, is confidential, but almost all other information contained in municipal shelter records is public, including the name, address, phone number, and other identifying information of a person who adopts a cat or dog from the shelter. The parties report that public availability of this information has led to instances of conflict and harassment and assert that keeping the personal and contact information of a person or rescue group confidential after the final disposition of a shelter animal will serve to protect individuals and organizations from harassment, threatening behavior, unwanted contact, or retaliation by a person attempting to reclaim a pet. H.B. 2471 seeks to make such information confidential.

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. 2471 amends the Government Code to make confidential and except from disclosure requirements under state public information law information that relates to the name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, driver's license number, social security number, or other personally identifying information of a person who obtains ownership or control of an unclaimed stray animal from a local government making a humane disposition of the animal. The bill authorizes the disclosure of such information only to a governmental entity or a person that, under a contract with a governmental entity, provides animal control services, animal registration services, or related services for the governmental entity for purposes related to the protection of public health and safety. The bill requires a governmental entity or person that receives such information to maintain the confidentiality of the information and prohibits the governmental entity and the person from disclosing the information under state public information law or from using the information for a purpose that does not directly relate to the protection of public health and safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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