BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1577

By: Alvarado

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In light of a recent incident in which taxpayer dollars were used to pay a settlement for a sexual assault allegation against a U.S. Congressman, it has been suggested that state officials should not be allowed to use taxpayer dollars to cover up allegations of sexual harassment. S.B. 1577 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting the appropriation of money or use of appropriated money to settle or pay sexual harassment claims made against certain elected or appointed members of state government.

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. 1577 amends the Government Code to prohibit the legislature from appropriating money and a state agency from using appropriated money to settle or otherwise pay a sexual harassment claim made against an elected member of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government or a person appointed by the governor to serve as a member of a department, commission, board, or other public office within the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of state government.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.