Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 1458 amends the Government Code to establish at the Department of Information Resources (DIR) an Electronic Government Program Management Office and associated advisory committee with various powers relating to improving the access to and delivery of government services through information technology projects. The bill creates, through September 1, 2003, a TexasOnline grant program managed by the office to enable counties, municipalities, and school districts to provide electronic government services through funding of start-up costs, design and maintenance of websites, and other needs. It creates a Legislative Oversight Committee for Electronic Government Projects, which expires December 31, 2004, and establishes a September 1, 2005, sunset date for the TexasOnline division at the DIR, created by Senate Bill 187. Amendments to the Education Code authorize a school district or open-enrollment charter school to transfer donated data processing equipment to a student with no access, giving preference to educationally disadvantaged students. The bill contains related Government Code changes to facilitate the disposition to school districts and charter schools of surplus state agency data processing equipment.

            Other amendments to the Government Code relate to computer security issues, electronic commerce, the authority of the DIR executive director, certain vendor issues, open records law exceptions, and contract claims against the state. Tax Code changes enhance the comptroller's use of advanced database systems and electronic technology. Transportation Code amendments relate to state contracts for certain roadway removal work.