BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 543

79R1788 JRD-D                                                                                                          By: Shapleigh

State Affairs

3/11/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law allows a member, agency, or committee of the legislature to obtain one copy of public information for legislative purposes at no cost from a state agency.  This limits this opportunity for no-cost information only to state agency information, which is an unnecessary limitation that can have the effect of precluding the open transfer of information.

The public's right to know is vital in an effective, efficient democracy.  As stewards for the public, legislators and the legislative bodies that support them should have the least obstructed access to information within reason. 

As proposed, S.B. 543 allows a member, agency, or committee of the legislature to obtain, without charge, one copy of public information from any governmental body.

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 552.264, Government Code, to require one copy of public information that is requested from a governmental body, rather than a state agency, by a member, agency, or committee of the legislature under Section 552.008 (Information for Legislative Purposes), to be provided without charge.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.