Committee passes bill extending ban on use of nonpublic information by local employees

House Bill 3419, which would prohibit officers, employees and contractors of political subdivisions from using nonpublic information for personal gain, passed the Senate Local and County Government Committee on a unanimous voice roll call.

Senator Stewart, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, told the committee the measure simply extends to political subdivisions the same prohibition that already applies to state agencies. He said it closes a gap so that municipal and county employees cannot exploit confidential access for private benefit.

The committee offered a due‑pass motion and, after no questions or debate, clerk roll call returned eight ayes and zero nays. The chair declared the bill passed.

The measure’s text mirrors existing state restrictions for agencies; no amendments were offered during the committee hearing. The committee did not record a formal estimate of fiscal impact during the session.

The committee advanced the bill to the next stage of consideration.