HBA-EDN H.B. 1056 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1056
By: Gallego
State Affairs
6/29/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the house general investigating committee (committee)
has jurisdiction to investigate a variety of issues of statewide concern.
Prior to the 77th Legislature, the committee consisted of five members and
conducted inquiries and investigations in which sensitive information held
by the committee may have been subject to public disclosure.  House Bill
1056 allows the composition of the committee to be increased and for
sensitive information held by the committee to be withheld from public
release. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1056 amends the Government Code to provide that the house
general investigating committee (committee) must consist of not fewer than
five house members.  The bill provides that a majority of the members
constitutes a quorum to transact business.  The bill provides that
information held by a general investigating committee that, if held by a
law enforcement agency or prosecutor, would be excepted from the
requirements of public availability is confidential and not subject to
public disclosure. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.