SRC-SEW S.B. 497 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 497 By: Shapleigh State Affairs 6/14/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas state agencies are granted the express authority to post information on the Internet only in certain specific cases. Although the Texas Public Information Act can be interpreted to provide implied authority for state agencies to post information on the Internet, the absence of express authority may inhibit agencies from taking full advantage of the Internet. S.B. 497 expressly authorizes a state agency to post on its Internet site any nonconfidential information related to the agency's programs, activities, or functions. 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 Chapter 1573, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, as follows: Sec. 2054.121. New heading: POSTING OF INFORMATION ON INTERNET. Authorizes each state agency that maintains a generally accessible Internet site or for which a generally accessible Internet site is maintained to post on the site any nonconfidential information related to the agency's programs, activities, or functions. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.