Texas House Bill HB3562

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the minimum electronic mail retention period required by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Impact

If passed, HB3562 would have significant implications for state laws regarding the management and retention of electronic communications. The bill is part of a broader movement towards enhancing transparency and accountability in governmental operations by ensuring that state records, particularly emails, are preserved for a minimum duration. This change is aimed at protecting the integrity of public communication and ensuring that important decisions and discussions are accessible for future reference.

Summary

House Bill 3562 is aimed at establishing a minimum retention period for electronic mail records held by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The bill proposes to amend Section 441.185(f) of the Government Code, granting the commission the authority to set a minimum retention period, while ensuring that such duration is no less than three years for electronic mail records. This legislative effort underscores the importance of maintaining official communications in a digital format and aligns with evolving standards in record-keeping practices among government agencies.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HB3562 may arise from concerns about the implications for data management practices within state agencies. Critics could argue that the mandated retention period may burden certain agencies with additional administrative responsibilities or complicate data management, particularly if agencies are not equipped to handle the volume of electronic communications that would need to be archived. Conversely, proponents would likely stress the importance of transparency and the necessity of retaining records to foster public trust in government actions.