bill creating a public registry of ethics violators

The text as introduced · 568 words

By: Campbell
S.B. No. 1460

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the ethics violations registry maintained by the Texas

Ethics Commission and the requirement that state agencies verify an

applicant's status on the registry before issuing or renewing a

license.

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

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Texas Ethics

Compliance Act of 2025.

SECTION 2. Chapter 571, Government Code, Subchapter B is

amended to add Section 571.178 to read as follows:

Sec. 571.178. ETHICS VIOLATIONS REGISTRY. (a) The

commission shall establish and maintain an Texas Ethics Violations

Registry that is made available on the commission's Internet

website that lists individuals and entities with ethics violations

under this code.

(b) An individual or entity shall be placed on the registry

upon:

(1) the commission issuing a fine related to a

violation; and

(2) the individual or entity has exhausted all appeals

opportunities.

(c) The registry must include:

(1) the name of the individual or entity;

(2) the nature of the violation;

(3) the date the violation was issued; and

(4) any actions taken by the commission regarding the

violation.

(d) The commission shall remove an individual or entity from

the registry upon compliance with all administrative penalties,

fines, or corrective actions required as a result of the ethics

complaint.

(e) The commission shall adopt rules to ensure due process

protections for individuals and entities placed on the registry,

including notice and the opportunity to contest placement.

SECTION 3. Chapter 2001, Government Code, Subchapter A is

amended to add Section 2001.008 to read as follows:

Sec. 2001.008. ETHICS VIOLATIONS REGISTRY REVIEW FOR

LICENSING PURPOSES. (a) Each state agency with licensing authority

shall, before issuing or renewing a license, verify whether the

applicant is listed on the Texas Ethics Violations Registry.

(b) State agencies include, but are not limited to:

(1) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations;

(2) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles;

(3) The Texas Medical Board;

(4) The State Bar of Texas;

(5) The Texas Real Estate Commission;

(6) The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement;

(7) The Texas Department of Insurance;

(8) The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; and

(9) Any other licensing agency designated by the Texas

Ethics Commission.

(c) If an applicant is listed on the Texas Ethics Violations

registry:

(1) the licensing agency shall provide written

notification to the applicant of their registry status;

(2) the agency shall delay the issuance or renewal of

the license pending resolution of the ethics violation or

violations; and

(3) In accordance with state or federal law, the

agency shall deny the application or impose appropriate conditions

until the ethics violation is resolved.

(d) The licensing agency shall adopt rules to ensure

procedural fairness for applicants and provide a mechanism for

applicants to challenge adverse licensing decisions based on

registry status.

SECTION 4. As soon as possible after the effective date of

this Act, the Texas Ethics Commission and each state agency subject

to this Act shall adopt rules and procedures necessary for

implementation.

SECTION 5. Except as otherwise provided by rules adopted by

the Texas Ethics Commission under Section 571.178, Government Code,

as added by this Act, the withholding of licenses issued or renewed

applies to all violators of Texas Ethics Commission violations

before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.