BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3175

By: Deshotel

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

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. 3175 amends the Government Code to make the following information maintained by a governmental body confidential:

·       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; and

·       any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify an individual or household that applies for such funds.

The bill establishes that the street name of and the amount of such funds awarded to an individual or household are not confidential after the date on which the funds are awarded.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.