BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 791

By: Lozano

General Investigating & Ethics

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the electronic filing requirement for a personal financial statement filed by certain individuals appointed by the governor to state office is prejudicial to an individual who does not own a personal computer or does not have access to the Internet at the individual's residence. H.B. 791 seeks to authorize such individuals to file the statement by certified mail.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 791 amends the Government Code to authorize an individual who was appointed to office by the governor before December 31, 2016, and who is required to file a personal financial statement with the Texas Ethics Commission under state law to file such a statement by certified mail if the individual does not own a personal computer or does not have Internet access at the individual's residence. The bill requires that such a filing by mail be in compliance with statutory provisions relating to the timely filing of such a statement.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.