BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3913

By: Huberty

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised over reports of harassment flood victims faced after Hurricane Harvey from individuals soliciting sales and services for their flooded property in person, over the phone, and through mail. H.B. 3913 seeks to protect flood victims' personal privacy during an already stressful time by exempting certain personally identifying information obtained by an applicable flood control district from the public availability requirements of state public information law.

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. 3913 amends the Government Code to except certain personally identifying information obtained by a flood control district located in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more in connection with operations related to a declared disaster or flooding from the public availability requirements of state public information law.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.