CS/CS/HB 15 Summary: Local Government Fiscal Transparency Act

• Creates Part VIII of Chapter 218 establishing the "Local Government Fiscal Transparency Act" requiring local governments to post voting records on tax increases and new tax-supported debt issuance on their websites, with 4-year history requirement by October 1, 2022.

• Requires property appraisers to post property tax information and history on websites; requires local governments to post millage rate history and revenue generated by each tax levy, with phased implementation from October 1, 2019 through October 1, 2021.

• Mandates public hearings at least 14 days before votes on tax increases or new tax-supported debt, with expanded notice requirements including specific content for tax increases and "truth in bonding" statements for debt issuance in newspapers of general circulation.

• Requires local governments to conduct debt affordability analyses comparing actual debt service ratios for 5 preceding fiscal years and projections for 2 years following new debt issuance before approving new tax-supported debt.

• Requires audits of local governments to include affidavits signed by governing board chairs certifying compliance with the act; expands Legislative Auditing Committee authority to review compliance and direct corrective action within 45-180 days.