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.