BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3175

 

By: Deshotel (Creighton)

 

Business & Commerce

 

5/8/2019

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Concerns have been raised regarding the use of sensitive personal information by identity thieves to gain insight to a person's finances for the purpose of opening new credit accounts, stealing from existing accounts, or committing other crimes. It has been reported that these thieves, using only a name and address, can access existing public databases to find additional information, such as that relating to individuals who receive state or federal disaster recovery funds. H.B. 3175 seeks to protect disaster victims from these crimes by providing for the confidentiality of personal information of applicants for disaster recovery funds.

 

H.B. 3175 amends current law relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for disaster recovery funds.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Government Code, by adding Section 552.160, as follows:

 

Sec. 552.160. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION OF APPLICANT FOR DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS. (a) Defines "disaster."

 

(b) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (c), the following information maintained by a governmental body is confidential:

 

(1) the name, social security number, house number, street name, and telephone number of an individual or household that applies for state or federal disaster recovery funds;

 

(2) the name, tax identification number, address, and telephone number of a business entity or an owner of a business entity that applies for state or federal disaster recovery funds; and

 

(3) any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify a person or household that applies for state or federal disaster recovery funds.

 

(c) Provides that the street name and census block group of and the amount of disaster recovery funds awarded to a person or household are not confidential after the date on which disaster recovery funds are awarded to the person or household.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.