HBA-MPM, ALS H.B. 2835 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2835
By: Turner, Sylvester
State Affairs
7/19/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, there was no provision under current law
requiring state agencies to post on the Internet uniform information about
the agency. The purpose of this bill is to provide the public with greater
access to information about state agencies. 

H.B. 2835 requires a state agency with a budget exceeding $175 million to
post on its Internet website specified information regarding its
expenditures, governing body, contracts, duties, and links to its rules and
hearing procedures. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 2054, Government Code, by adding
Section 2054.121, as follows: 

Sec. 2054.121. REQUIRED POSTING OF INFORMATION ON INTERNET. Requires a
state agency, other than an institution of higher education, which receives
appropriations under the General Appropriations Act exceeding $175 million
for a state fiscal biennium, to post during the biennium specified
information regarding the agency's expenditures, governing officer or
governing body, contracts with vendors, duties, and electronic links to its
rules and hearing procedures on a generally accessible Internet site
maintained by or for the agency. 
 
SECTION 2.Effective date: October 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.