Ethics Commission Uses Tech to Increase Its Own Transparency

The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) is on a mission to continue improving its user experience, already having a two-day turnaround for logging reports that come through its e-filing system and 120 days (about four months) for legal opinions.

In its Sunset Commission self-report published in August 2023, TEC speaks of heavy reliance on its computer systems and its website to take in disclosure filings, legal opinions and complaints. TEC is under Sunset Advisory Review ahead of the 89th Legislature.

It is working on the following tech goals with existing funds:

• Simplified end-user account management
• Automatic redaction for faster public information request response
• Filer dashboard for transparent penalty processing
• More online reports to create transparency and reduce information requests

TEC would like to use email for more communications, but by law, multiple documents require postal mail.

TECH TIMELINE

In 2022, the commission’s e-filing system was migrated to the cloud in partnership with RFD & Associates. This was an emergency upgrade due to service interruptions, although TEC had previously requested funding for the project, according to the self-report.

In 2021, its case management system for sworn complaints was implemented by SHI Government Solutions.

Technology, database and related spending in 2021, according to the document:

• $585,390 to RFD & Associates for the e-filing system
• $45,698 to the Department of Information Resources (DIR) for telecommunications
• $23,005 to SHI for a case management software subscription
• $8,675 to Canon Financial Services for printer leases
• $7,452 to LexisNexis for legal databases
• $5,688 to DIR for data center services and Office 365
• $2,134 to Texas State Library and Archives Commission for records management

STAFFING AND IT

TEC had 24.8 full-time employees and a stated need for additional headcount as of the report’s publication.

Jessie Haug is the director of computer services, tasked with the following:

• Maintaining IT infrastructure, e-filing system and database and agency website
• Providing support for filers and staff
• Preparing reports on open records requests
• Systems analysis and design
• Information security and information resources policy
• Project management

A 1991 vote established the TEC, which has duties of recommending state lawmaker salaries or per diems, rulemaking for the laws it administers, administering nine laws in the state government’s code, issuing advisory opinions regarding those laws, serving as a financial disclosure repository and providing ethics training for state employees and legislative members.