BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3534

By: Shine

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested  that  allowing  the  Texas  Ethics  Commission (TEC)  to  disclose  certain confidential complaint information to a law enforcement agency would promote the efficient and economical administration of TEC duties as it works to protect the public interest. H.B. 3534 authorizes the TEC to do so under certain circumstances.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill expressly does one or more of the following: creates a criminal offense, increases the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or changes 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. 3534 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) to disclose to a law enforcement agency confidential information relating to complaints and hearings to the extent necessary for the recipient of the information to perform a duty or function that is separate from the duties and functions of the TEC. The bill clarifies that information disclosed to a law enforcement agency remains confidential and requires the agency receiving the information to take appropriate measures to prevent disclosure of the information. The bill creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who discloses confidential information obtained from the TEC under these provisions.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.