HBA-NLM H.B. 304 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 304
By: Wise
State Affairs
2/9/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a state agency is not required to produce printed copies of an
electronic publication. Although the Internet has become an acceptable and
widely used resource, there is concern that this method excludes many
people and communities from having access to information due to the lack of
computer resources and technology. Without notification from state agencies
regarding the availability of documents on the Internet and how long the
information will be posted, acquisition of materials available off the
Internet may be incomplete.  H.B.304 requires a state agency to provide the
Texas State Library with printed copies of all electronic format
publications. 

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
February 8, 1999
SECTION 1.  Amends Section 441.103(c), Government Code, as follows:

(c)(1) Requires a state agency, on release of a state publication in an
electronic format, to provide the Texas State Library either on-line access
to the publication or copies of the publication on an electronic external
storage device in the number of copies prescribed by the Archives
Commission (commission) but not to exceed 75. Creates Paragraphs (A)-(B)
from existing text.  Redesignates Subdivision (2) to Paragraph (B).  Makes
conforming changes. 

(2) Provides  that if the publication is released in an electronic format
only, a state agency is also required to provide printed copies of the
publication in the number of copies prescribed by the commission but not in
excess of 75.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 441.104, Government Code, to require the Texas
State Library to make available a printed index of state publications that
are available in electronic format and to provide printed copies of state
publications that are available only in electronic format to depository
libraries and other libraries on request.  Makes conforming and
nonsubtantive changes. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.