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.