Honorable Kelly Hancock, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB515 by Taylor, Van (Relating to the right of certain public officers to access public information, documents, records, and property.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to define the right of access of board members to public information and access to any property owned or leased by or under exclusive control of the state governmental body to which the member is appointed. The bill would amend the Local Government code to define the rights of access to a member of the governing body of a political subdivision to public information and access to any property owned or leased by or under exclusive control of the state governmental body to which the member is appointed. The bill gives these members the ability to seek a decision regarding confidentiality issues with the Office of the Attorney General. This analysis assumes costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed by the Office of the Attorney General.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2018.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the potential liability that may incur on counties cannot be determined.