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.