SRC-JBJ H.B. 2589 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2589 77R11195 MTB-DBy: Hochberg (Wentworth) State Affairs 4/30/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE State agencies with budgets exceeding a certain amount are required to maintain a generally accessible Internet site. In addition to specified information, such as budget, rules, and contracts, many sites also include commonly requested information such as hearing announcements, program descriptions, or publications. Currently there is no requirement for a state agency to post a notice stipulating the conditions of use for information copied from a state agency Internet site. H.B. 2589 requires the Department of Information Resources to create a terms of service statement for state agency Internet sites. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2054.121, Government Code, as added by Section 1, Chapter 1573, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 2054.121. REQUIRED POSTING OF INFORMATION ON INTERNET. (a) Requires the Department of Information Resources (department) to adopt a policy that meets certain criteria. (b) Requires the department to post the policy on its Internet site. Requires a state agency to prominently post a link to the policy statement on a generally accessible Internet site maintained by or for the agency. (c) Requires the policy to include certain statements. Redesignates existing text of Section 2054.121, Government Code, as Section 2054.121(d), Government Code. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 552C, Government Code, by adding Section 552.136, as follows: Sec. 552.136. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN E-MAIL ADDRESSES. (a) Provides that an e-mail address of a member of the public that is provided for the purpose of communicating electronically with a governmental body is confidential and not subject to disclosure under this chapter. (b) Authorizes confidential information described by this section that relates to a member of the public to be disclosed if the member of the public affirmatively consents to its release. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.