Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee On State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB160 by Larson (Relating to the reimbursement of state funds used on out-of-state travel by elected officers.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to require all statewide elected officials to electronically submit semi-annual disclosure reports to the Ethics Commission. The reports would disclose certain information related to state-funded travel outside of the state and any state-funded security personnel provided for the travel. The bill would also require the Ethics Commission to review all reports and make a determination within 90 days of receipt if the travel was for official state business. If the Ethics Commission determines the state-funded travel was not for official state business, the elected official would be required to reimburse the state all state funds, plus interest, used for the travel. The Ethics commission estimated a cost associated with receiving and reviewing the disclosure reports, however it is anticipated that these costs could be absorbed within existing resources by the agency.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2013.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.