BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1629 81R10685 JD-F By: Wentworth State Affairs 4/1/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Last session, legislation was enacted to authorize a governmental body to recover its actual costs in responding to certain requests for information under the Public Information Act, and provide exemptions therefrom for certain requestors, including members of the radio, television, and print newspaper media. As proposed, S.B. 1629 provides that certain newspapers and magazines are also exempt from the cost recovery provisions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.275(j), Government Code, to provide that this section does not apply if the requestor is a representative of a newspaper that is a newspaper of general circulation that is published on the Internet by a news medium engaged in the business of disseminating news or information to the public; or a magazine that is published at least once a week or on the Internet by a news medium engaged in the business of disseminating news or information to the general public. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1629
81R10685 JD-F By: Wentworth
State Affairs
4/1/2009
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Last session, legislation was enacted to authorize a governmental body to recover its actual costs in responding to certain requests for information under the Public Information Act, and provide exemptions therefrom for certain requestors, including members of the radio, television, and print newspaper media.
As proposed, S.B. 1629 provides that certain newspapers and magazines are also exempt from the cost recovery provisions.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 552.275(j), Government Code, to provide that this section does not apply if the requestor is a representative of a newspaper that is a newspaper of general circulation that is published on the Internet by a news medium engaged in the business of disseminating news or information to the public; or a magazine that is published at least once a week or on the Internet by a news medium engaged in the business of disseminating news or information to the general public. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.