IMF H.B. 273 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS H.B. 273 By: Davis 4-19-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, personal information relating to individuals that participate in neighborhood crime watch groups is subject to disclosure under the Open Records Act. With membership lists available to the public, criminals are able to get the names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. of crime watch group members. In various neighborhoods, where crime watch groups are active, there have been threats and acts of retaliation against the members of these groups. PURPOSE This bill would create an exception to the Open Records Act to remove personal information relating to members of a neighborhood crime watch from public disclosure. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 5, Subtitle A, Chapter 552, Subchapter C of the Government Code by adding Sec. 552.127 as follows: Creates as exception to the Open Records Act for personal information identifying participants in neighborhood crime watch organizations. Defines "neighborhood crime watch organization." SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.