BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2435

By: Smith

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is concern that although the law provides for preserving the confidentiality of the home or residence address of a state or federal judge or the judge's spouse in certain governmental records and documents, the definition cited in those provisions does not include reference to a federal judge. This has resulted in an ambiguity with regard to the confidentiality of that information as it relates to federal judges and in calls to clarify the law. H.B. 2435 provides for that clarification.

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. 2435 amends the Tax Code to clarify the definitions of "federal judge" and "state judge" used for purposes of statutory provisions relating to the confidentiality of home address information contained in appraisal records.

H.B. 2435 amends the Transportation Code to clarify the definitions of "federal judge" and "state judge" used for purposes of statutory provisions relating to the omission of residence address information on a driver's license.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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