AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 1773 creates a select interim committee to study the effectiveness of laws and regulations related to ethics, including campaign finance, lobby laws, and personal financial disclosure laws.  The composition of the committee consists of three state senators, three state representatives, two public members, and the presiding officer of the Texas Ethics Commission.  No later than December 20, 2014, the committee is required to submit a report with recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house, and the governor.

 

S.B. 1773 amends current law relating to the creation of a select interim committee to review and make recommendations for substantive changes to ethics laws.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. INTERIM STUDY REGARDING ETHICS LAWS. (a) Creates a select interim committee to study and review the statutes and regulations related to ethics, including campaign finance laws, lobby laws, and the personal financial disclosure laws.

 

(b) Requires that the study consider the purposes of the current laws and whether the laws accomplish those purposes; the effectiveness of the current laws; and what changes, if any, should be made to more effectively accomplish the purposes of the laws.

 

(c)  Provides that the committee is composed of:

 

(1) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor as follows:

 

(A) three senators, one of whom the lieutenant governor is required to designate as co-chair; and

 

(B) one member of the public; 

 

(2) four members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives as follows:

 

(A) three state representatives, one of whom the speaker is required to designate as co-chair of the committee; and

 

(B) one member of the public; and

 

(3) the presiding officer of the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) on the effective date of this Act.

 

(d) Requires the committee to convene at the call of the co-chairs.

 

(e) Provides that the committee has all other powers and duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B (Legislative Reorganization Act), Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees on administration.

 

(f) Requires the committee, not later than December 20, 2014, to report the committee's findings and recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor. Requires the committee to include in its recommendations specific statutory and rule changes that appear necessary from the results of the committee's study under Subsection (a) of this section.

 

(g) Requires the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to appoint the members of the committee created under this section not later than the 60th day after the effective date of this Act.

 

(h)  Requires the Texas Legislative Council and TEC to provide any necessary staff and resources to the committee created under this section.

 

SECTION 2. ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. Provides that the committee is abolished and this Act expires December 21, 2014.

 

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2013.