BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 81

By: Canales

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that there is a loophole in state public information law that allows some governmental entities to shield from the public certain information relating to public events paid for with public funds. H.B. 81 seeks to address this issue by making such information accessible to the public.

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. 81 amends the Government Code to make certain information relating to the receipt or expenditure of public funds for a public parade, concert, or other entertainment event that is otherwise excepted from the public availability requirement of state public information law because the information relates to competitive bidding public information that is not excepted from such required disclosure unless expressly confidential under state law. The bill prohibits a person, including a governmental body, from including a provision in a contract related to such an event that prohibits or would otherwise prevent the disclosure of such information and makes a contract provision that violates this prohibition void.        

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.