HBA-ALS H.B. 2723 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2723 By: Hupp State Affairs 4/20/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, multiracial applicants for public employment, public contracting, and public education must either choose one racial group over another or classify themselves as "other" on an application form. H.B. 2723 prohibits entities that receive state funds from requesting, receiving, or collecting information that indicates an applicant's racial or ethnic background. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the Government Code, by adding Chapter 618, as follows: CHAPTER 618. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION Sec. 618.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "state agency" and "local government." Sec. 618.002. PROHIBITION ON COLLECTION OF RACIAL OR ETHNIC INFORMATION. (a) Prohibits a state agency, local government or other person receiving state appropriations from receiving, requesting, or collecting information that indicates the race or ethnicity of an applicant for employment; an applicant for admission to an institution of higher education; or a person with whom the state agency or local government is contracting for goods or services. (b) Provides that this section does not prohibit the request for or receipt, collection, or retention of information relating to the race or ethnicity of persons employed by a state agency or local government or persons enrolled in an institution of higher education. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.