BILL ANALYSIS
By: Delisi
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
As technology used for data storage and public access of materials has changed, the need to modernize current law regarding state publications has become increasingly important. The purpose of this legislation is to update obsolete language and codify current procedures regarding the access to and preservation of state documents.
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
This bill amends Section 441 of the Government Code by altering the definitions of "depository library" to include any library that the State Library and Archives Commission designates as a site for retaining and allowing public access to state publications, and "state Publication" to include materials in physical or electronic format. The commission is required to maintain a system, named the Texas Records and Information Locator (TRAIL) to allow access, including through the Internet, to depository libraries that are available to the public. The term "contact persons" is replaced with "liaisons." A state agency is required to furnish copies of publications that exist in physical format to the Texas State Library, and is required to also include identifying and descriptive information about publications that are available on the Internet. No more than 75 copies may be required. In place of a microform program, "alternative formats" are to be made available to depository libraries. All state publications that are available on the Internet must be cataloged in an index that is also available on the Internet. For a state agency's printing to be done by contract, the Texas Building and Procurement Commission must now receive a receipt, not the State Purchasing and General Services Commission.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.