transparency Transparency Stars

Transparency Stars Submission Form

Enter required information below along with the link to your entity’s transparency page(s) to qualify for Transparency Stars. All entities must receive the Traditional Finances Transparency Star before they are eligible to receive any of the other Stars (Contracts and Procurement, Economic Development, Pension Obligations or Debt Obligations). Review the criteria for the Transparency Stars program.

If you have questions or require assistance, please contact us.

* required field

Entity information
Contact information

Please provide the following information for the primary contact for this application.

Traditional Finances Star application

** Select 'Yes' if you have already been awarded a Traditional Finances Star and are applying for one or more additional star(s). Note that you must re-enter your Traditional Finances link which Comptroller staff will re-verify before evaluating your additional Star(s) application.

Other Star applications (optional)
Transparency Star Pledge

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts recognizes that the public availability of information is essential to an accountable and open government. By applying to the Transparency Stars Program, a governmental entity acknowledges that the program’s goal is not merely the one-time compilation of information initially required under program criteria. Rather, the Transparency Stars Program seeks to support and promote efforts to achieve long-term financial transparency. As a voluntary program participant, the governmental entity pledges to be proactive in providing the public with clear and meaningful financial information to the best of its ability going forward. Examples include, but are not limited to, complying with open records requests, promptly responding to public inquiries, and maintaining up-to-date online databases.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts may revoke an entity’s Transparency Star(s) in cases where the entity has failed to demonstrate a commitment to program values, has deliberately misled or provided inaccurate information, or has otherwise purposefully and unreasonably impeded the flow of public information. Upon request by the Comptroller, the applicant entity agrees to immediately remove all emblems, logos, or symbols depicting the Transparency Star award as well as all references to the Transparency Star designation from the entity’s website and public communications.

By submitting this application, I certify that I am an authorized employee of the entity listed above and have determined that the transparency page(s) on the entity’s Internet website qualify for the Transparency Star(s) for which the entity has applied. I understand that in order to receive and maintain a Transparency Star, an entity must keep data on its website updated and otherwise use all reasonable best efforts to facilitate financial transparency in its activities, disclosures, and communications with the public. I further understand that (1) recognition of an entity as a Transparency Star does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Texas or any of its agencies; (2) that participation in the Transparency Stars Program is entirely voluntary and does not create a contract between the entity and the State of Texas or any of its agencies; and (3) that the Comptroller of Public Accounts, in its sole discretion and for any or no reason, may revoke an entity’s Transparency Star designation at any time.