Texas State Library Reauthorized until 2019
Every twelve years, more than 150 government agencies undergo a
legislative review by the Sunset Advisory Commission to identify
and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in government
agencies. The Sunset Advisory Commission seeks public input through
hearings on every agency and recomments actions on each agency to
the full legislature. In most cases, agencies under sunset review
are automatically abolished unless legislation is enacted to continue
them.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission underwent "Sunset"
during the 80th Texas Legislature (January - May 2007).
S.B. 913, introduced by Senator Kim Brimer, is the legislation
that continues the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and
its functions until September 1, 2019. S.B. 913 passed the Texas
Senate and the Texas House of Representatives during the 80th legislative
session, and was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry on May 25,
2007.
Read S.B. 913
Some of the key provisions of S.B. 913:
- Continues the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for
12 years.
- Removes the system funding formula from statute and requires
the state library to adopt a new formula in rule that ensures
funding for basic system support services.
- Requires the state library to fund competitive grants aimed
at increasing innovation and targeting state and federal goals.
- Eliminates the agency's certification of county librarians.
- Authorizes the agency to promote and lead a collaboration between
a wide range of Texas institutions to develop an online tool for
searching digitized cultural resources.
- Directs the state library and the Texas Education Agency to
conduct a joint study to identify school library needs and to
determine which needs each agency is best suited to address. Results
are to be reported by Dec. 31, 2008.
- Authorizes the agency to permit library systems to earn outside
revenue and to retain this revenue from year to year.
- Authorizes the agency to take possession of an archival document
when an institution of higher education and a county are not in
agreement over the custody of the document.
- Requires the state library to update rules relating to conflicts
of interest; grounds for removal of a member of the policymaking
body; and, training required for members of the policymaking body.
- Requires information to be maintained on complaints.
- Directs the agency to use technology to increase public access.
- Authorizes the state library to develop and use appropriate alternative
rulemaking and dispute resolution procedures.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission maintained a Web
page throughout the Sunset evaluation process. Here you can access
background information, including reports, comments, and timeline.
Background information.
For more information, email
Deputy Director Edward Seidenberg.
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