HBA-BSM H.B. 2106 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2106
By: Dutton
Judicial Affairs
3/20/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the 76th Legislature of 1999, the Committee on Civil Practices
reviewed and monitored the activities of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory
Committee.  The report pointed out potential deficiencies in the ability of
the public to access information, including written correspondence between
advisory committee members and subcommittee groups.  The website currently
being used by the court is maintained by an outside law firm rather than by
the court and is only accessible by the members of the advisory committee.
House Bill 2106 requires the Court to maintain its own website, provide
more public access, and allow for public input regarding the Advisory
Committee's activities. 

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 2106 amends the Government Code to require the supreme court  to
include on its website the internet address and all materials and
information relating to a rule or form considered or at a public hearing
that it holds, including the transcripts of each hearing, all transmittals
and correspondence it receives regarding the rule or form, and a method by
which a person may submit comments relating to a  pending rule or form
electronically through the website.  The bill requires the supreme court to
implement the provision on or before December 1, 2001. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.