SRC-ARR S.B. 1252 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1252
By: West
State Affairs
6/29/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not authorize a governmental body to broadcast an
open meeting over the Internet. Both the state of Colorado Department of
Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy have recently conducted
successful experimental government online hearings. Citizens are able to
review the issues and provide comments which will be considered on the
merits of the comment--not the personal characteristics of the individual
providing testimony. S.B. 1252 authorizes a governmental body to broadcast
an open meeting over the Internet in compliance with the Texas Open
Meetings Act.  

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 1252 regulates the broadcasting of public meetings over
the Internet. 

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 551F, Government Code, by adding Section 551.128,
as follows: 

Sec. 551.128. INTERNET BROADCAST OF OPEN MEETING. Defines "Internet."
Authorizes a governmental body to broadcast an open meeting over the
Internet, subject to the requirements of this section. Requires  a
governmental body that broadcasts a meeting over the Internet to establish
an Internet site and provides access to the broadcast from that site.
Requires the governmental body to provide on the Internet site the same
notice of the meeting that the governmental body is required to post under
Subchapter C. Requires the notice on the Internet to be posted within the
time required for posting notice Subchapter C. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 551F, Government Code, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER F.  New heading: MEETINGS USING TELEPHONE VIDEOCONFERENCE, OR
INTERNET  

SECTION 3. Requires the Department of Information Resources (department) to
form a task force to determine whether a governmental body can take certain
actions. Requires the department to report its findings to the legislature
not later than September 1, 2000.  

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.