HB 7 - Local Government Fiscal Transparency

• Creates the "Local Government Fiscal Transparency Act" requiring local governments to post voting records on websites for actions addressing tax increases or new tax-supported debt, with 4-year history required by October 1, 2021

• Requires county property appraisers to post property tax information and millage rate histories on websites, and requires local governments to post their own millage rate histories and total annual revenue generated

• Mandates expanded public notice requirements for tax increases and new tax-supported debt, including at least 14 days before public hearing and 10 days before final vote, with specific content including financial details and debt affordability ratios

• Requires local governments to perform debt affordability analysis before authorizing new tax-supported debt and include analysis with public notices, comparing debt ratios with and without proposed new debt

• Expands Legislative Auditing Committee review to include compliance with fiscal transparency requirements, and requires Auditor General to request corrective action from non-compliant local governments within specified timeframes