SRC-JEC H.B. 854 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 854
By: West, George "Buddy" (Duncan)
Education
4/30/2003
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 854 prohibits a public school or public library that provides a
computer used for Internet access from eligibility for a Texas
Infrastructure Fund loan or grant unless the school or library adopts and
implements an Internet safety policy protecting children from access to
obscene materials. 

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 32, Education Code, by adding Subchapter D, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER D.  INTERNET ACCESS

Sec. 32.151.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "Internet safety policy" and "obscene."

Sec. 32.152.  LIMITATION ON CERTAIN FUNDS.  Provides that a public school
that provides a computer used to access the Internet is not eligible for a
loan or grant under Subchapter C, Chapter 57, Utilities Code, unless the
school adopts and implements an Internet safety policy. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 441, Government Code, by adding
Section 441.1385, as follows: 

Sec. 441.1385.  LIMITATION ON CERTAIN FUNDS.  (a)  Defines "Internet
safety policy" and "obscene." 

(b)  Provides that a public library that provides a computer with Internet
access to the public is not eligible for a loan or grant under Subchapter
C, Chapter 57, Utilities Code, unless the public library adopts and
implements an Internet safety policy. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.


LIST OF COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1:

Amends H.B. 854 on page 2, line 2, between "policy" and the period, by
inserting "under this section or under the federal Children's Internet
Protection Act (Pub. L. 106-554)".