By Uher H.B. No. 2646
76R7598 MCK-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the technology access clause in certain state
1-3 contracts.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 2157.005(b), Government Code, is amended
1-6 to read as follows:
1-7 (b) The clause must [shall] clearly state, as a condition
1-8 for the expenditure of state funds in the purchase of an automated
1-9 information system, that the technology, as furnished by the vendor
1-10 or with the addition of readily available and reasonably priced
1-11 products from other vendors, must:
1-12 (1) [will] provide reasonable accommodation
1-13 [equivalent access] for effective use by both visual and nonvisual
1-14 means;
1-15 (2) [will] present information, including prompts used
1-16 for interactive communications, in formats intended for both visual
1-17 and nonvisual use; and
1-18 (3) [can] be integrated into networks for obtaining,
1-19 retrieving, and disseminating information used by individuals who
1-20 are not blind or visually impaired.
1-21 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-22 (b) The General Services Commission and the Department of
1-23 Information Resources shall develop a technology access clause to
1-24 comply with Section 2157.005, Government Code, as amended by this
2-1 Act, not later than January 1, 2000.
2-2 (c) The change in law made by this Act to Section 2157.005,
2-3 Government Code, applies only to a contract that is entered into or
2-4 renewed on or after the date the technology access clause required
2-5 by Section 2157.005, Government Code, as amended by this Act, is
2-6 developed. A contract entered into before that date is governed by
2-7 the law in effect at the time the contract was entered into, and
2-8 that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
2-9 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-10 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-12 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-13 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.