SRC-SEW S.B. 694 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 694
By: Wentworth
State Affairs
6/14/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The use of the Internet for business and government transactions is
growing.  State and local agencies are beginning to acquire credit and
debit card numbers from both citizens and organizations.  This creates a
potential for fraud unless disclosure of these numbers can be prevented.
While individuals' credit card numbers can be withheld from disclosure
under the Public Information Act, state law is unclear as to whether the
credit card numbers of organizations can be withheld as well.  S.B. 694
clarifies the language of the law to make confidential all credit and debit
card numbers held in governmental records and to make certain e-mail
addresses confidential. 

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 Chapter 552C, Government Code, by adding Sections
552.136 and 552.137, as follows: 

Sec. 552.136.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF CREDIT CARD, DEBIT CARD, AND ACCESS
DEVICE NUMBERS.  Defines "access device."  Provides that, notwithstanding
any other provision of this chapter, a credit card, debit card, or access
device number that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a
governmental body is confidential. 

Sec.  552.137.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN E-MAIL ADDRESSES.  Provides that
certain email addresses are confidential and not subject to disclosure
under this chapter. Authorizes certain confidential information to be
disclosed under certain circumstances. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.