SRC-LBB H.B. 2089 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2089 By: Geren (Nelson) State Affairs 5/7/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, there is no law requiring the secretary of state to post candidate names publicly on the Internet. In recent years, as use of the Internet has become widespread, citizens look to reliable websites, such as that maintained by the secretary of state, for information on elections and candidates. H.B. 2089 ensures that the names of each candidate who is nominated for statewide or district office in the general election is available to the public on the secretary of state's website. 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 Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, by adding Section 31.010, as follows: Sec. 31.010. INTERNET SITE FOR POSTING CANDIDATE NAMES. Requires the secretary of state (SOS) to make the name, address, and occupation of each candidate who is nominated for statewide or district office in the general election for state and county officers available to the public by posting the name on SOS's website on the Internet as soon as practicable after it becomes available under Section 146.024, 172.122, or 181.068. SECTION 2. Amends Section 68.005, Election Code, by adding Subsection (d) to require SOS to make the final report available to the public by posting the report on SOS's website on the Internet. SECTION 3. Amends Section 172.029, Election Code, by adding Subsection (f) to require SOS to make the name, address, and occupation of each candidate for statewide or district office available to the public by posting each list received on SOS's website on the Internet as soon as practicable after the date of the regular filing deadline for candidates' applications. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2003.