SRC-AXB S.B. 1639 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1639
By: Carona
State Affairs
3/23/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code, govern required
disclosure of certain information.  S.B. 1639 authorizes a governmental
body to conduct closed meetings and excepts certain information from
required disclosure. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1639 creates exceptions for required disclosure of
information, and allows a governmental body to conduct a closed meeting. 

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 551D, Government Code, by adding Section
551.086, as follows: 

Sec.  551.086.  DELIBERATIONS RELATING TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF
APPLICANT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE; CLOSED MEETING. Authorizes a
governmental body to conduct a closed meeting under certain circumstances
relating to the applicant's information. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 552C, Government Code, by adding Section
552.131, as follows: 

Sec.  552.131.  EXCEPTION:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF APPLICANT FOR ECONOMIC
ASSISTANCE.  Excepts a trade secret, tax return, certain financial
statements, a feasibility study, marketing report, employee training plan,
confidential product information, and other data from disclosure under the
requirements of Section 552.021, Government Code.  Provides that this
section does not except certain governmental body funding information from
disclosure under Section 552.021, Government Code. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.