Texas Senate Bill SB279

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to certain information about high-value data sets provided by state agencies to the Department of Information Resources.

Impact

If enacted, SB 279 would significantly impact the way state agencies handle and disseminate high-value data sets. This shift towards increased transparency could foster a culture of accountability within government agencies, enabling citizens to access more information about state operations, funding, and services. The bill is expected to facilitate better data management practices across state agencies, pushing them to be more organized and public-friendly in their data disclosures.

Summary

Senate Bill 279 aims to enhance the transparency and accessibility of high-value data sets provided by state agencies to the Department of Information Resources in Texas. The bill mandates that any state agency that posts a high-value data set on its website must also provide a brief description of the data set and a link to it. This act seeks to ensure that such data is easily available to the public through a state electronic portal, thus promoting open data initiatives and enhancing public access to government information.

Contention

While this bill generally advocates for greater transparency, potential points of contention could arise from concerns about the administrative burden it places on state agencies. Critics may argue that requiring agencies to routinely update and maintain descriptions and links to a growing variety of data sets could overwhelm resources, detracting from core operations. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the definition of 'high-value data sets' and what types of data should be prioritized for public access, influencing the implementation of the bill's provisions.