Texas Senate Bill SB2392

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the adoption of the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act.

Impact

By implementing the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act, SB2392 facilitates the transition to electronic records, allowing the Texas Legislative Council and Secretary of State to designate official electronic records. This transition will streamline how legal material is accessed and authenticated, enhancing efficiency in legal processes and improving public access to vital state materials. Moreover, the bill necessitates the creation of an implementation plan by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, ensuring compliance and addressing the authentication and preservation of electronic legal materials.

Summary

SB2392, also known as the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act, aims to establish a framework for the management and publication of legal material in electronic formats within the state of Texas. The bill proposes amendments to Chapter 2051 of the Government Code, adding a new subchapter dedicated to the handling of electronic legal records. This legislation seeks to ensure that legal documents, including state constitutions and laws, are available electronically, properly authenticated, and preserved for public access.

Contention

While the legislation has the potential to modernize how legal information is managed, there are concerns regarding the reliability and security of electronic records. Specific attention is needed for the authentication process to ensure that these electronic records are true representations of the original documents. If the bill does not adequately address these concerns, it risks undermining trust in the electronic versions of legal materials when compared to traditional printed forms.