IMF H.B. 1556 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS H.B. 1556 By: Greenberg 4-10-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Comptroller of Public Accounts Texas Performance Review in the December 1996 report, "Disturbing the Peace," recommended that every state agency establish an electronic mail (EMail) address. Currently, 170 of the 225 state agencies maintain electronic mail accounts. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1556 would effectively place the comptroller's recommendations into law. The proposed bill would require every state agency to establish an electronic mail address on the internet. 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 F, Chapter 2054 of the Government code by adding Section 2054.120 that requires every state agency to establish an electronic mail address on the internet. This Section allows state agencies to use electronic mail to communicate with the public and defines "Internet." Allows an agency to consult with the Department of Information Resources to establish its electronic mail address. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.