SRC-TJG H.B. 298 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 298 By: Miller (Nelson) Natural Resources 5/5/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is allowed to develop a policy for the release of information relating to persons who hold a license issued by TPWD. H.B. 298 prohibits TPWD from disclosing certain personal information about an individual to whom TPWD has issued a license in the form of a mailing list. 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 11.030, Parks and Wildlife Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (c-1), as follows: (a) Prohibits certain personal information of a person who purchases certain items from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) from being disclosed except as authorized under this section or Section 12.0251. (c) Deletes existing text regarding policies relating to the sale of a mailing list containing certain information. (c-1) Requires the policies adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (commission) under Subsection (c) to prohibit the sale of a mailing list that contains certain customer information that relates to a person who does not hold a commercial license issued by TPWD. Prohibits policies adopted by the commission from being construed to restrict access to certain customer information by a person who is entitled to receive the information under this section or other applicable law. Defines "mailing list." SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.