Bill > HB5573

This bill expands Texas's whistleblower protection laws to explicitly include reporting of wasteful spending, in addition to existing protections for reporting violations of law. The bill modifies the Government Code to broaden the scope of employee protections, allowing public employees to report wasteful spending to the state auditor's office without fear of retaliation, just as they can currently report legal violations to law enforcement. Specifically, the bill prevents state and local government entities from suspending, terminating, or taking adverse personnel actions against employees who, in good faith, report violations of law or wasteful spending. If such adverse action occurs within 90 days of a report, there is a presumption that the action is retaliatory, which the employer must rebut. The bill also clarifies that an employer can defend against a whistleblower lawsuit only if they can prove they would have taken the same action based on information unrelated to the employee's report. This legislation aims to encourage transparency and accountability in government by providing stronger legal protections for employees who come forward with information about potential misconduct or inefficient use of public resources.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5573