SRC-JBJ S.B. 852 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 852
76R857 KLA-DBy: Shapleigh
State Affairs
3/23/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Section 55.203, Utilities Code, requires private, for-profit
publishers of residential telephone directories to include in their
directory a listing of state agencies.  However, many state agencies
currently maintain Internet websites which contain operation and program
information for the public. A greater volume of access by users to an
agency's website could significantly lessen the large volume of users
currently received and processed by agency staff.  S.B. 852 would require a
private and forprofit publisher of residential telephone directories to
include in their directory a listing of state agencies' Internet addresses. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 852 requires certain telephone directory publishers to
publish state agencies' Internet addresses. 

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 55.203, Utilities Code, to define "Internet."
Requires a private for-profit publisher of a local residential telephone
directory to publish listings of Internet addresses of Internet sites
maintained by a state agency.  Requires rules of the Public Utility
Commission (PUC) to include a publisher to list Internet addresses.
Requires the General Services Commission to cooperate with PUC regarding
publishing Internet addresses.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 441.053, Government Code, to require the Records
Management Interagency Coordinating Council to categorize state agency
telephone numbers and Internet addresses of Internet sites maintained by
state agencies.  Defines "Internet."  Deletes definition of "member
agency." 

SECTION 3.  Gives effect to changes in Section 55.203, Government Code, in
accordance with Section 311.031(c), Government Code.  Provides that this
Act prevails over another Act of the 76th Legislature in the event of a
conflict. 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5.Emergency clause.