TITLE: Relating to waiving confidentiality regarding proceedings and information relating to a complaint filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

SUMMARY: Relating to waiving confidentiality regarding proceedings and information relating to a complaint filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to waiving confidentiality regarding proceedings and information relating to a complaint filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 571.140, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-2) to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b),[or] (b-1),or (b-2) or by Section 571.171, proceedings at a preliminary review hearing performed by the commission, a sworn complaint or motion,and documents and any additional evidence relating to the processing, preliminary review, preliminary review hearing, or resolution of a sworn complaint or motion are confidential and may not be disclosed unless entered into the record of a formal hearing or a judicial proceeding, except that a document or statement that was previously public information remains public information. (b-2) A respondent named in a sworn complaint or motion waives confidentiality regarding any proceedings and information relating to the sworn complaint or motion, with respect to the respondent, by: (1) publicly disclosing confidential information relating to the sworn complaint or motion; or (2) providing a verified, written waiver of confidentiality to the executive director. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.