BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2310

By: Leach

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties have expressed concern regarding the lack of a requirement for local governments to advertise the public's right to request access to government information under state public information law. C.S.H.B. 2310 seeks to address this concern and increase government transparency in the public domain.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 2310 amends the Local Government Code to require a local government with a population of 10,000 or more that maintains a website to prominently display and maintain on the main page of that website a link to a web page maintained by the local government that is clearly identified as a web page on which a person may submit an electronic request for public information under state public information law or an e-mail address monitored by an officer or employee of the local government that is clearly identified as a method by which a person may request and receive information regarding how to submit a request for public information under state public information law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2016.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2310 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 201.009, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d)  A political subdivision that maintains an Internet website must prominently display and maintain on the main page of that website a link to a web page maintained by the local government that allows a person to submit an electronic request for information under Chapter 552, Government Code.	SECTION 1.  Section 201.009, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d)  A local government with a population of 10,000 or more that maintains an Internet website must prominently display and maintain on the main page of that website: (1)  a link to a web page maintained by the local government that is clearly identified as a web page on which a person may submit an electronic request for public information under Chapter 552, Government Code; or (2)  an e-mail address monitored by an officer or employee of the local government that is clearly identified as a method by which a person may request and receive information regarding how to submit a request for public information under Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2016.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.