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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 694
77R5366 JD-DBy: Wentworth
State Affairs
3/7/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 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.  As proposed,
S.B. 694 clarifies the language of the law to make confidential all credit
and debit card numbers held in governmental records. 

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 Section
552.136, 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. 

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