BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1270

By: Shapleigh

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

An act of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, required the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to compile a report that inventories and assesses the usefulness of over 1,600 reports that state agencies are required by law to prepare and submit to other state agencies, local government entities, and the public.  Currently, there is no central location where researchers, legislators, and the public can access such reports.

S.B. 1270 requires state agencies to make available to TSLAC in an electronic format each report required by law.  This bill requires the Texas State Library to establish and maintain an index of all current state agency reports required by law and provide electronic access to both the index and the text of the reports through a link on the home page of the Texas Records and Information Locator (TRAIL).

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

S.B. 1270 amends the Government Code to add a copy of a state publication in an electronic format determined by the Texas Legislative Council (TLC) to the possible methods a state agency may use to make the required submission to the Texas State Library.  The bill adds an exception that a state agency is required to provide reports required by law in an electronic format determined by the TLC to the requirement that a state agency furnish copies of a state publication that is not printed or available from the agency's website to the Texas State Library in a format prescribed by Texas State Library and Archives Commission rules. 

S.B. 1270 adds establishing and maintaining an index of all current state agency reports required by law and providing electronic access to both the index and the text of the reports through a link on the home page of the Texas Records and Information Locator (TRAIL) to the required duties of the Texas State Library.  The bill prohibits the state librarian from exempting a report required by law that is required to be made available to the commission in an electronic format from state publications provisions.

S.B. 1270 redefines "state publication" to include information that is required by law to be distributed to the legislature or to the presiding officers of the legislature.

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2010.