BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1390

By: Harper-Brown

Government Efficiency & Reform

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A request for an attorney general opinion must be sent by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. However, interested parties note that the majority of requests are submitted by first class mail or by electronic mail, thus requiring the attorney general's staff to obtain from the requestor a written waiver of the required method of delivering the request.  To address this problem, H.B. 1390 seeks to authorize electronic submission of requests for attorney general opinions.

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

H.B. 1390 amends the Government Code to authorize a request for a written opinion of the attorney general on a question affecting the public interest or concerning the official duties of the requesting person to be sent electronically to an electronic mail address designated by the attorney general for the purpose of receiving such a request. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.