85R7319 EES-F     By: Davis of Harris H.B. No. 2472       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.