BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1079
89R4554 DRS-D	By: West
	Local Government
	3/25/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Sensitive media devices refer to devices including computers or tablets that are used by members of government agencies, both state and local. They contain sensitive information crucial to regular operations, which calls for high confidentiality.

S.B. 1079 grants authority to a county to order the destruction of a sensitive media device:

(1) that is salvage or surplus property; and

(2) for which the commissioners court determines that the destruction of the sensitive media device is necessary to prevent inadvertent disclosure of information in connection with the disposal of the device.

"Sensitive media device" means a data storage device that the commissioners court of a county determines the county has used to store data the maintenance or disclosure of which is regulated by state or federal law.

As proposed, S.B. 1079 amends current law relating to the authority of a county to dispose of sensitive media devices.

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 Subchapter D, Chapter 263, Local Government Code, by adding Section 263.1521, as follows:

Sec. 263.1521. DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN SENSITIVE MEDIA DEVICES. (a) Defines "sensitive media device."

(b) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county, notwithstanding Section 263.152 (Disposition), to order the destruction of a sensitive media device that is salvage or surplus property and for which the commissioners court determines that the destruction of the sensitive media device is necessary to prevent inadvertent disclosure of information in connection with the disposal of the device.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.