SRC-AXB H.B. 1432 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1432 By: Grusendorf (Shapiro) Criminal Justice 5/12/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) charges more for written inquiries than for inquiries submitted electronically through the website because it requires less time and labor to handle electronic requests than written requests. H.B. 1432 prohibits DPS from charging a $15 fee for public information Internet inquiries. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1432 prohibits the Department of Public Safety from charging a $15 fee for public information Internet inquiries. 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 Section 411.001, Government Code, by adding Subdivision (4), to define "Internet." SECTION 2. Amends Section 411.088, Government Code, to authorize the Department of Public (DPS), to charge a fee, except as provided by Subsection (b), which prohibits DPS from charging a fee for processing an electronic inquiry for certain information made through the Internet. Deletes text regarding public information. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.