HBA-BSM H.B. 876 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 876 By: West, George "Buddy" State Affairs 2/26/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There are currently no provisions that require state regulatory agencies to inform a member of the legislature about information that affects the member's legislative district that is to be released in the form of a press release or press conference. To serve a district well, a member needs to be aware of any information that may affect that district. House Bill 876 requires state regulatory agencies to make a reasonable attempt to inform members of the legislature of the release of such information. 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 876 amends the Government Code to require a state regulatory agency to make a reasonable attempt to inform a member of the legislature before releasing information to the news media in the form of a press release or press conference that impacts an individual, business, or governmental entity in a state legislative district. The executive director of the state regulatory agency is required to ensure that notice is given. Any person in violation of the terms set in releasing information to the press is subject to discharge from employment or removal from office. Before the discharge or removal, the governing body of the state regulatory agency is required to hold a hearing to determine the responsibility for the release of information to the news media. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.