BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2197

                                                                                                                                        By: Madden

                                                                                                                                          Corrections

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current state law provides that a general description of an offender is public information, but does not specifically say that a photograph of an offender is public information.  This bill would amend state law to clearly indicate offender photographs are public information in order to clarify that the current practice of releasing offender photographs is consistent with the public information act.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 2197 clarifies the current statute that offender photographs are public information appropriate for continued release by amending Section 552.029 of Government code to include "department photograph."

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.