BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 73

By: Nelson

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that although state law provides for the confidentiality of personal information of state and federal judges contained in certain governmental records and documents, there are still some records that are not covered by the law. Additionally, it has been noted that there is some ambiguity regarding the definitions used for certain of those confidentiality provisions. S.B. 73 seeks to address these issues by expanding the types of records from which personal information relating to state and federal judges and their spouses may be omitted and by providing certain clarification regarding definitions.

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

S.B. 73 amends the Property Code to include any record recorded by a county clerk related to real property in the definition of "instrument" for purposes of statutory provisions relating to personal information in real property records, including provisions requiring a county clerk to omit or redact certain personal information of a federal judge, state judge, or spouse of a federal or state judge from an instrument available in a public online database on receipt of a written request from the applicable judge or spouse.

S.B. 73 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.

S.B. 73 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

September 1, 2019.