Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB19 by Taylor, Van (Relating to the ethics of public officers and related requirements; creating criminal offenses.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Government Code to increase transparency and disclosure requirements for state officers and would allow filers to amend personal financial statements without penalty if the original report was made in good faith. The bill would also prohibit certain elected officials from registering as lobbyists while in office and would prohibit former legislators from paid lobbying for the first two years after leaving office. The Ethics Commission indicates that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill would take effect January 10, 2017.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to be significant.