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