78R2236 JD-D

By:  Allen                                                        H.B. No. 437



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from public disclosure for information 
that is collected, assembled, or maintained for purposes of 
emergency management or disaster planning.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 418.175, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
	Sec. 418.175.  CERTAIN INFORMATION EXCEPTED FROM PUBLIC 
DISCLOSURE [CONFIDENTIAL].  (a) Information that [relates to 
physically or mentally disabled individuals or other medically 
fragile individuals and that] is collected, assembled, or
maintained for purposes of emergency management or disaster 
planning is [confidential and] excepted from required disclosure 
under Chapter 552 if the person in possession of the information 
believes that disclosure of the information would compromise or 
interfere with implementation of the emergency management or 
disaster plan of the state, an agency or political subdivision of 
the state, or an agency of a political subdivision of the state.
	(b)  This section applies to information in the possession of 
any person, including:
		(1)  the state, an agency or [of the state, a] political 
subdivision of the state, or an agency of a political subdivision of 
the state;  or
		(2)  an electric, telecommunications, gas, or water 
utility.                
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.