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.