Texas Legislature Approves Bill to Ban Contractor Surveillance of Lawmakers
AUSTIN — The Texas Legislature has overwhelmingly passed House Bill 5061, a measure aimed at prohibiting state contractors from surveilling lawmakers, whistleblowers, and state employees. The bill, championed by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, received unanimous support, passing through the Texas Senate on Friday without objections. The bill is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has ten days to veto or sign it, though his office has shown no indication of opposition.
This legislation comes on the heels of alarming revelations about Superior HealthPlan, a Medicaid provider, hiring a background investigation firm to gather sensitive information on Texas lawmakers—including political backgrounds and personal data—during a lawsuit period from 2017 to 2019. Despite the invasive nature of these actions, the company has claimed it conducted standard public background checks and did not engage in illegal surveillance.
“It’s incredibly troubling and, frankly, shocking,” said Leach, addressing the House prior to the vote. Colleagues, including Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, emphasized the need for stronger protections against unethical contractor practices, stating, “It’s time we put an end to contractors using nefarious practices against the very people they are meant to serve.”
House Bill 5061 also establishes strict penalties for violations, including immediate termination of contracts and fines ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. The measure will create a confidential complaints hotline, with implications for contractors found to misuse information leading to more stringent repercussions.
As Superior faces an ongoing court battle for nearly $1 billion in state contracts, the bill’s passage signals Texas lawmakers’ commitment to safeguarding ethical conduct in state contracting and protecting public servants from intrusive surveillance tactics.
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