HBA-CCH H.B. 1295 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1295 By: Garcia Business & Industry 3/18/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not require Internet filtering on computers sold in Texas. House Bill 1295 requires a person who sells personal computers to include compatible software with each personal computer sold that enables the purchaser to automatically block or screen indecent materials on the Internet, and provides penalties for a violation of this requirement. 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 1295 amends the Business & Commerce Code to require a person in the business of selling personal computers to provide software with each personal computer sold that enables the purchaser of the personal computer to automatically block or screen indecent material on the Internet. The software must be compatible with any operating system that is provided by the seller at the time of purchase. If an operating system is not provided by the seller of the personal computer, the software must be compatible with at least one operating system that may be installed to operate on the computer. H.B. 1295 provides that a person is liable to the state for a civil penalty of $2,000 for each violation of these provisions. The civil penalty may be imposed only for a violation that occurs on or after January 1, 2002. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.