Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

STATE AFFAIRS/AGENCIES
Requires a state agency to permanently remove data from processing equipment before disposing of or otherwise
transferring equipment to an individual who is not a state agency or other agent of the state.
Requires the Department of Information Resources to adopt rules for implementation and sets forth guidelines for the
rules.
Duties of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission—S.B. 452
By Senator Wentworth—House Sponsor: Representative Gattis
Currently, the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
have certain duties and responsibilities under the Public Information Act. TBPC's duties include receiving reports
from state agencies regarding requests for public information received and the costs of compiling and producing that
information to the requestors. This bill:
Transfers all of the duties of TBPC pursuant to Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code, to the OAG in
order to streamline the duties regarding public information into one agency.
Amends the composition of the open records steering committee to include a representative of the TBPC and five
public members.
Requires each state governmental body to report certain information to the OAG rather than TBPC.
Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders─S.B. 882
By Senator Lucio—House Sponsors: Representatives Alma Allen and Naishtat
The definitions and duites of the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Disorders (council) need to be updated to
conform with recent name changes. This bill:
Makes conforming changes to provisions of law affecting the council to reflect the current organizational structure,
powers, and duties of Texas health and human services agencies.
Modifies the definition of "autism."
Changes the name of the council from the Interagency Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders to
the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
Modifies the composition of the council and the terms of council members.
Authorizes the council to employ staff to carry out the responsibilities of the council.
Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to determine what
funding resources are to be used for the council.
Modifies provisions relating to the advisory task force that assists the council.
Requires the council to obtain input from people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, their
families, and related advocacy organizations in performing certain tasks and duties.
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 213