SRC-VRA S.B. 1161 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1161
78R8646 TBy: Barrientos
Intergovernmental Relations
4/6/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, counties have limited authority to charge for online services,
and statutory language limits the type of services offered to information
access and collections.  As proposed, S.B. 1161 allows a county the
flexibility to provide new services and recapture the cost of service when
new electronic services are provided.  

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 132.007, Local Government Code, as follows:

Sec.  132.007.  New heading:  INFORMATION, SERVICES AND PAYMENT THROUGH
THE INTERNET.  (a)  Adds a new subdivision to existing text. 

(c)  Authorizes a county or municipality that provides access to
information or other county 14 services through the Internet under
Subsection (a) (3) to perform certain functions.  Makes conforming
changes. 

(d)  Authorizes a county or municipality to contract with a vendor to
perform any service or activity authorized by Subsection (a).  Requires
the county or municipality to approve any fee charged by a vendor in
association with a contract authorized by this subsection.     

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.