TX: Legislature Poised To Declare Social Security Numbers 'Not Confidential'

[rumpel]

amazing - did this pass?

by Bob Dunn, Mar 06, 2007, 03 27 pm

The Texas Legislature is poised to reverse a two-week-old attorney general’s opinion and a year-old amendment to the state’s Public Information Act, by declaring that people’s Social Security numbers are not confidential under the law.

House Bill 2061, which passed the Texas House easily on Tuesday and has a companion bill in the state Senate, says individuals may request their Social Security numbers be redacted from public records held by the government, and governmental bodies may also redact Social Security numbers.

But, under provisions of the bill, Social Security numbers would not be considered confidential under provisions of the Texas Public Information Act, or any other state law.

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert said in a Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday he expects the Senate to pass its version of HB 2061 on Wednesday. He said he believes the final version of the bill likely will be signed by Gov. Rick Perry quickly.

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2649/legislature-poised-to-reverse-abbott-declare-ss-numbers-not-confidential

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

1. Sadly, for America, it passed the Texas House.

http://www.waxahachiedailylight.com/articles/2007/03/07/dailylight/news/04-03-07-capitol.txt

[rumpel]

2. wow

Texans expect more unwanted solicitations...

[no_hypocrisy]

3. WTF?!

What is the benefit to the public for which privacy is being sacrificed (rhetorical statement)!

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Attention all Texan DUers! Please send me your SS numbers by email. I will put them to

good use.

[rumpel]

5. Too late, business is already on it:

the juicy part:

Wilson and numerous other county clerks across the state reacted to Abbott’s opinion by closing down or limiting access to public records their offices maintained, including real and personal property records vital to the title business, mortgage companies, banks and other businesses.

Real estate, oil and gas and other business interests also quickly reacted, rallying legislators to their cause and prompting Texas House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jim Keffer to begin work on HB 2061 a few days ago.

don't ask me why oil and gas....

[The Cleaner]

13. Okay....duh...

Mine is 563-TEXAS-SUCKS (translated into letters rather than digits)

Uh oh, I live in Texas and now I'm beginning to Texas-bash. But this decision has me concerned is all. It sounds ominous...

[rumpel]

15. Texans should flood their reps with protest phone calls

and e-mails and faxes. - I would

[The Cleaner]

16. Political action is not exactly on most Texans' to do list...

But don't take away the beer, sports games, and condoms to go...doncha just love the "Bible Belt?"

Anyway it's no wonder politicians here in TX can get away with murder. The majority of the Texan sheeple don't really pay any attention to state politics, and the news would rather run stories of house fires, cars running into buildings, and shootings. Nobody really knows what the hell is going on inside the Texas Legislature, and frankly, few care. Thus they can run the most heinously anti-choice, anti-freedom bills through the Legislature and few would know or care.

The only reason Rick Perry's executive order mandating Gardasil came to the fore is because it was also a national issue. Otherwise it's pass the beer, get drunk at the local hangout, and watch the game. As long as conservative Repubbies are taking care of business, they really don't care.

[Fresh_Start]

6. texas might want to research federal statutes

there are a few which may impede on their view of reality.

[rumpel]

7. Problem I see when even predicted class actions

should be fought - during the lengthy process - the cats are already out of the bag...

[havocmom]

8. Yep, look for Texas voters to re-examin their reps!

We could help make sure they consider that option :evilgrin:

[rumpel]

9. ooooooooo! Something just occured to me

we have 1 famous Texas resident!


:popcorn:

[The Cleaner]

11. Gee, I wonder Whoooooo could it be?

:shrug:

[rumpel]

12. lol

:rofl:

[The Cleaner]

10. Isn't that like the very WORST thing they can do in terms of ID Theft? And WHY did they do this?

:shrug:

[genie_weenie]

14. Well, since the first SS cards clearly

indicate SSNs are not identity numbers for Americans this should be no problem. The key is to always make a mistake when transcribing one's SSN to the authorities.