SRC-ARR S.B. 747 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 747 76R2341 JRD-DBy: Shapleigh State Affairs 3/23/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law does not require state governmental bodies to record either the categories of public information requested from the other governmental bodies or the frequency with which different categories of public information are requested. The lack of this data makes it difficult to determine whether it might be more cost-effective for state government to publicize frequently requested categories of public information, rather than waiting for information to be requested under the Public Information Act. S.B. 747 would require state governmental bodies to keep a record of and report to the General Services Commission (commission) the categories of public information requested, from the governmental body and the frequency with which the different categories are requested and require the commission to report to the legislature of its analysis of the types of public information most often requested in an effort to determine whether certain categories of public information could be publicized more frequently. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 747 requires determination of the types of public information most often requested from state governmental bodies under the open records law. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the General Services Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 552.009(b), Chapter 552A, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 552A, Government Code, by adding Section 552.009, as follows: Sec. 552.009. DETERMINING TYPES OF INFORMATION FREQUENTLY REQUESTED FROM STATE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES; RULES AND REPORT OF GENERAL SERVICES COMMISSION. Requires each state governmental body to keep a record of and report to the General Services Commission (commission) the categories of public information requested from the governmental body under this chapter and the frequency with which the different categories of public information are requested. Requires the commission to prescribe the form of the report required under Subsection (a) and to prescribe, by rule, the categories into which requested public information will be divided for purpose of this section. Requires the commission to analyze the information it receives under this section and report to the legislature not later than a certain date the frequency with which different categories of public information are requested from state governmental bodies under this chapter. Requires the commission, at a minimum, to design the categories of information and draft its report so that the legislature and state governmental bodies may determine the extent to which it would be cost-effective for state government or useful to members of the public for state governmental bodies to publicize frequent requested categories of public information without waiting for the information to be requested under this chapter. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.