82(R) SB 1571 - House Committee Report version

The bill would amend the Public Information Act (PIA) to include within the definition of "public information" data stored or created by government contractors directly supported by public funds or by a person performing research, a study, or consulting for the government. The bill would also expand the definition of public information to include data stored in electronic format, add a statutory definition of "public function," and add federal funds to the definition of "public funds."

The bill would require certain provisions related to the Public Information Act be included in governmental contracts involving the exchange or creation of public information, including provisions to make certain information maintained by a contractor accessible by the public and require contractors to assemble public information requested related to their contracts.

This analysis assumes that any costs associated with implementing the bill's provisions could be met with existing resources.

The bill's provisions related to changes to the Public Information Act would apply only to requests made on or after the effective date. The bill's requirements related to contracting provisions would apply only to a contract first advertised or solicited on or after the effective date. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 2, 2011

TO:	Honorable Jeff Wentworth, Chair, Senate Committee on Open Government, Select

FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1571 by Watson (relating to information subject to the public information law.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted