85R7318 EES-F     By: Davis of Harris H.B. No. 1380       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the disclosure to a law enforcement agency of   confidential information relating to a complaint filed with the   Texas Ethics Commission; creating a criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 571.140(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (b-1) or by   Section 571.1401 or 571.171, proceedings at a preliminary review   hearing performed by the commission, a sworn complaint, 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.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 571, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 571.1401 to read as follows:          Sec. 571.1401.  CERTAIN DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. (a) To   protect the public interest, the commission may disclose to a law   enforcement agency information that is confidential under Section   571.140(a).          (b)  The commission may disclose information under this   section only to the extent necessary for the recipient of the   information to perform a duty or function that is in addition to the   commission's duties and functions.          (c)  Information disclosed to a law enforcement agency under   this section remains confidential, and the agency must take   appropriate measures to maintain that confidentiality.          (d)  A person commits an offense if the person discloses   confidential information obtained under this section. An offense   under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.