SRC-AXB S.B. 1045 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1045 By: Wentworth State Affairs 4/7/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, governmental entities spend an inordinate amount of staff time and resources in responding to open records requests. Placing certain information on the Internet can cut down significantly on the response time for information requests. S.B. 1045 creates an open records steering committee responsible for determining the feasibility of providing governmental information through the Internet. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1045 creates the open records steering committee to study and report on the feasibility of providing government information through electronic means. 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 552A, Government Code, by adding Sections 552.009 and 552.010, as follows: Sec. 552.009. OPEN RECORDS STEERING COMMITTEE: ADVICE TO COMMISSION; ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. Sets forth the open records steering committee's (ORSC) composition. Provides that the General Services Commission (GSC) representative is ORSC's presiding officer. Sets forth ORSC meeting requirements. Requires ORSC to advise GSC regarding performance of duties. Requires certain ORSC members to study the types of public information to be made available through electronic means. Requires ORSC to report its findings and recommendations to certain authorities. Sec. 552.010. STATE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES: FISCAL AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO MAKING INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE. Requires each state governmental body to report certain information to the Legislative Budget Board (board). Sets forth required methods for the board to design and phase in reporting requirements. Requires ORSC and the state auditor to assist the board in designing reporting requirements, and requires the board to share information with ORSC. SECTION 2. Amends Section 552.274(a), Government Code, to require the submission of certain information by each state agency by December 1, rather than September 1 of each odd-numbered year. SECTION 3. Amends Section 2(d), Chapter 428, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, to require the GSC to provide a copy of the updated report to each state agency by March 1 of each even-numbered year. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.