IMF S.B. 1850 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS S.B. 1850 By: Armbrister (Gallego) 5-22-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Texas law privatizes numerous government functions. Private companies receiving government money to perform government functions are not required to make those records available to the public. S.B. 1850 would require private companies receiving government money to perform government functions to make those records available to the public and at a reasonable cost. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1850 outlines provisions regarding the requirement of public disclosure of information by the governing bodies of entities that are parties to certain contracts with the state. 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 Section 552.003, Government Code, to redefine "governmental body" and define "certain public functions or services." Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 552.021, Government Code, to set forth provisions regarding the availability of public information. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.