BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 661
79R2229 MXM-F By: Branch et al. (Staples)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 661 allows public schools to join the TexShare Library Consortium. This allows public schools to access quality research databases at a lower cost than if the school tried to purchase individual access.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 441.223, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 441.223. FINDINGS; PURPOSE AND METHODS. Provides that designated public school libraries are included among those libraries that the legislature finds it is necessary to assist to promote the public good by achieving specific public purposes through specific methods. Amends said purposes and methods to include those enhancing the ability of public schools to further student achievement and lifelong learning through designated public school library participation in group purchasing agreements.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 441.224, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 441.224. MEMBERSHIP; FEES. Authorizes different fees to be assessed for different categories of consortium services, rather than different fees to be assessed to members for different categories of consortium services.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 441.229, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 441.229. GROUP PURCHASING AGREEMENTS. Authorizes the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (commission) to designate public school libraries that may participate in group purchasing agreements provided to the consortium and requires the commission, by rule, to establish criteria for the participation. Authorizes the commission to allow designated public school libraries to participate in a group purchasing agreement only to the extent that the commission may do so efficiently and only in a manner that does not reduce services to consortium members. Creates new subsections from existing text and makes conforming changes.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.