87R5328 BEF-D

By: Lopez H.B. No. 2208

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the confidentiality of certain personal information of an applicant for or recipient of disaster recovery assistance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 552.160, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 552.160. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION OF APPLICANT FOR OR RECIPIENT OF DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE [FUNDS]. (a) In this section, "disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section 418.004.

(b) The [Except as provided by Subsection (c), the] following information maintained by a governmental body is confidential:

(1) the name, social security number, house number, street name, and telephone number of an individual or household that applies for or receives disaster recovery assistance, including utility payment assistance and state or federal disaster recovery funds;

(2) the name, tax identification number, address, and telephone number of a business entity or an owner of a business entity that applies for or receives disaster recovery assistance, including utility payment assistance and state or federal disaster recovery funds; and

(3) any other information the disclosure of which would identify or tend to identify a person or household that applies for or receives disaster recovery assistance, including utility payment assistance and state or federal disaster recovery funds.

[(c) The street name and census block group of and the amount of disaster recovery funds awarded to a person or household are not confidential after the date on which disaster recovery funds are awarded to the person or household.]

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.