Department officials must keep association information confidential, and the commissioner has limited authority to disclose or share certain reports and information.
Sec. 89.052. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION HELD BY DEPARTMENT ABOUT AN ASSOCIATION; LIABILITY. (a) The commissioner and an examiner, supervisor, conservator, liquidator, inspector, deputy, assistant, clerk, or other employee of the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending who is appointed or acting under this subtitle shall be removed from the person's position with the department if the person: (1) does not keep secret a fact or information about an association obtained during an examination or because of the person's official position, except when the public duty of the person requires otherwise; or (2) wilfully makes a false official report about the condition of an association. (b) A report of an examination made to the commissioner is confidential and is not a public record or available for public inspection, except: (1) for good reason the commissioner may make the report public; and (2) a copy of the report may be furnished to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board or to the Federal Home Loan Bank to meet the requirements of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1421 et seq.). (c) When a supervisory order is issued under Chapter 66, the commissioner shall report the existence of the order promptly to the finance commission but shall maintain the confidentiality of the content of the order. (d) Unless this subtitle provides otherwise, this section does not apply to any fact or information or to a report of an investigation obtained or made by the commissioner or the commissioner's staff in connection with an application for a charter under this subtitle or with a hearing held by the commissioner under this subtitle. The fact, information, or report may be included in the record of the hearing. (e) This section does not prevent the proper exchange of information relating to associations with the representatives of savings and loan departments of other states or any other department, agency, or instrumentality of this or another state or the United States if the commissioner determines the disclosure of the information is necessary or proper to enforce the laws of this or another state or the United States. (f) An official who violates this section is liable to the person injured by the disclosure of the secrets. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1008, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 6.035, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 464 (S.B. 1008), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2013. SUBCHAPTER C. OFFENSES AND PENALTIES