BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 239

                                                                                                                By: Alonzo, Veasey (West)

Intergovernmental Relations

4/21/2007

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

More information is being offered only in an electronic format as print publications decrease in utilization.  However current accreditation standards of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (commission) do not require that libraries located in certain areas provide high-speed Internet access, potentially leaving people in Texas who do not have Internet access other than at a public facility such as a municipal library disconnected. 

H.B. 239 requires accreditation standards adopted by the commission to provide that a public library with a service area of over 50,000 residents furnish computers having high-speed access to the Internet for use by the general public. 

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 441.127, Government Code, by adding Subsection (d) to require accreditation standards adopted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under Subsection (a) (regarding eligibility standards for a major resource system) to provide that a public library with a service area of over 50,000 residents is required to provide computers with high-speed Internet access for public use. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.