HB 1232 strengthens the Texas Whistleblower Act by extending protections to public employees who report violations of law committed by elected officials of their employing government entity. Currently, whistleblower protections only cover reports against agencies or fellow employees. This bill closes a critical gap, ensuring that public employees can safely expose misconduct by those in power without fear of retaliation.

Accountability Must Include Elected Officials
The Libertarian Party of Texas (LPTexas) believes that all individuals in government—whether appointed, hired, or elected—must be held to the same standard of accountability (Platform § I.6.g, § IV.2). By protecting whistleblowers who report criminal actions by elected officials, HB 1232 aligns with our commitment to transparency, checks on power, and the right of individuals to seek redress without coercion or intimidation.

Defending Liberty Through Transparency
LPTexas holds that a free society depends on government accountability and transparency (Platform § I.4.a). Whistleblowers are essential to exposing corruption, fraud, and abuse of power. HB 1232 helps ensure that those who speak out in good faith are not silenced or punished, especially when they seek to expose wrongdoing by officials entrusted with public authority.

Standing Against Retaliation and Corruption
Protecting whistleblowers from retaliation is not just a matter of employment policy—it is a safeguard for civil liberties and institutional integrity. This bill promotes a culture of honesty and accountability within public institutions and supports our principle that the government must be the servant of the people, not their master (Platform § Preamble).

Conclusion
The Libertarian Party of Texas supports HB 1232 as a principled, practical measure to protect the rights of public employees and expose misconduct by those in power. This bill furthers the values of open government, individual liberty, and lawful conduct by all public officials. We urge lawmakers to support HB 1232 and reinforce protections for those who defend integrity in the public sphere.