IMF H.B. 451 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS H.B. 451 By: Eiland 5-9-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, members of the legislature who use laptop computers for both personal use and legislative purposes must use two separate computers. For example, a member may have his legislative e-mail service on one laptop and a personal e-mail service on another laptop. This is not only cumbersome during travel, but also can lead to some ethical and legal problems. Meanwhile, no mechanism is in place to allow members of the legislature to pay the state to use these laptops for personal use. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 451 would require state agencies and offices that provide data-processing or computer services to the legislature to establish procedures that would allow legislators use those services for personal use for a fee. 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 Subchapter B, Chapter 301 of the Government Code by adding Section 301.033 as follows: Section 301.033(a) requires an office or agency that provides data-processing or computer services for official legislator use to establish procedures to allow legislators to use those facilities for personal use. Section 301.033(b) requires the personal use procedures to include record keeping methods and payment methods for legislators to reimburse costs. Section 301.033(c) provides that the information concerning legislator personal use is confidential but may be used by the state auditor to determine compliance with this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.