H.B. 1796 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1796 By: Talton State Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Local governments, the state, and federal government require that a potential vendor or contractor submit to a certification process in determining that they are an historically underutilized or disadvantaged business. Section 552.001 of the Government Code provides that "The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." However, information regarding those who have requested certification as a historically underutilized or disadvantaged business is not subject to public disclosure. This is contrary to the policy set forth in Section 552.001 of the Government Code. The purpose of House Bill 1796 is to repeal Section 552.128 of the Government Code in order to ensure that information submitted by a potential vendor or contractor in connection with an application for certification as a historically underutilized or disadvantaged business is available for public inspection. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1796 repeals Section 552.128 of the Government Code. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.