SRC-JJJ H.B. 1353 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1353
76R4860 DLF-DBy: Deshotel (Bernsen)
State Affairs
5/11/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Current law allows information collected for disaster planning purposes by
certain governmental agencies to be accessed under an open records request.
H.B. 1353 would establish conditions regarding certain information used for
emergency management and disaster services. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1353 establishes conditions regarding certain information
used for emergency management and disaster services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 418H, Government Code, by adding Section
418.175, as follows: 

Sec. 418.175.  CERTAIN INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL.  Provides that information
that relates to physically or mentally disabled individuals or other
medically fragile individuals and that is maintained for purposes of
emergency management or disaster planning is confidential  and excepted
from required disclosure under Chapter 552.  Provides that this section
applies to information in the possession of any person, including the
state, an agency, or political subdivision; or an electric,
telecommunications, gas or water utility. 
 
SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.