SRC-HRD S.B. 814 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 814
By: Truan
International Relations, Trade & Technology
3-14-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

According to the International Relations, Trade & Technology Committee
Interim Report, the coming century promises to present the world's trading
sector with unprecedented opportunities, challenges and innovative ways to
conduct business.  Emerging telecommunications technologies and the
application of these technologies will play an increasingly important role
in the success of small- and medium-sized businesses.  One of the more
promising new technologies for such businesses interested in international
commerce is video teleconferencing.  Currently, the majority of Texas'
university system schools have these technologies in place.  This bill
would require the Texas Department of Commerce to develop a video
teleconferencing program to assist small businesses in establishing
international trade relationships by allowing the businesses access to
certain video conferencing facilities for a fee.  In addition, this bill
would require the department to submit a report to the governor and the
legislature regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 814 requires the Texas Department of Commerce
(department) to develop a video teleconferencing pilot program to assist
small businesses in establishing international trade relationships by
allowing the  businesses access to certain video teleconferencing
facilities for a fee.  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Department of Commerce under
SECTION 1 of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Requires the Texas Department of Commerce (department), by
rule, to develop a video teleconferencing pilot program to assist small
businesses in establishing international trade relationships by allowing
the businesses access to certain video conferencing facilities for a fee.
Sets forth requirements regarding the adoption of rules.   

SECTION 2. Requires the department, not later than January 15, 1999, to
submit to the governor and the legislature an initial report concerning
the effectiveness of the pilot program.  Requires the department to submit
to the governor and legislature a subsequent report not later than January
15, 2001. 

SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1997.

(b) Requires the department to establish the pilot program required by
this Act not later than January 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4. Expiration date:  September 1, 2001.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.