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Committee advances bill protecting Department of Revenue employees who publish required franchise-tax refund notices
Summary
Senate Bill 1292 clarifies that Department of Revenue employees who, in good faith, publish taxpayer refund ranges as required by prior law will not be subject to criminal prosecution or employment penalty; the committee recommended the bill for passage.
NASHVILLE — The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 11 recommended passage of Senate Bill 1292, which shields Department of Revenue employees from criminal prosecution or employment penalties when they publish certain taxpayer refund information as required by prior tax legislation.
Senator Johnson explained last year’s tax bill required the Department of Revenue to publish names of franchise tax refund recipients and the refund range on the department website between specified dates. Committee discussion noted that existing state law treats disclosure of taxpayer confidential information as a felony, creating an unintended conflict between the disclosure requirement and existing confidentiality statutes.
SB 1292 would state that a state employee who, in good faith, publishes the information pursuant to the prior legislation is not subject to criminal prosecution or employment penalty for that disclosure. Sponsors moved the bill; the committee voted with recorded ayes and the clerk announced the bill is recommended for passage to the calendar.
Votes at a glance: SB 1292 was recommended for passage by the committee; roll-call recorded multiple ayes and the committee moved the measure to the calendar.
