By Hupp                                               H.B. No. 2723
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the prohibition against the collection of certain
 1-3     information.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Government Code is amended by adding Chapter 618
 1-6     to read as follows:
 1-7                   CHAPTER 618.  COLLECTION OF INFORMATION
 1-8           Sec. 618.001  DEFINITIONS.  In this Chapter:
 1-9                 (1)  "state agency" has the meaning assigned by Section
1-10     2103.001, Government Code.
1-11                 (2)  "local government" has the meaning assigned by
1-12     Section 742.002, Government Code.
1-13           Sec. 618.002.  PROHIBITION ON COLLECTION OF RACIAL OR ETHNIC
1-14     INFORMATION.  (a)  A state agency, local government or other person
1-15     receiving state appropriations may not receive, request, or collect
1-16     information that indicates the race or ethnicity of:
1-17                 (1)  an applicant for employment;
1-18                 (2)  an applicant for admission to an institution of
1-19     higher education; or
1-20                 (3)  a person with whom the state agency or local
1-21     government is contracting with for goods or services.
 2-1           (b)  This section does not prohibit the request for or
 2-2     receipt, collection, or retention of information relating to the
 2-3     race or ethnicity of persons employed by a state agency or local
 2-4     government or persons enrolled in an institution of higher
 2-5     education.
 2-6           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-7     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-8     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-9     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-10     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-11     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-12     passage, and it is so enacted.