H.B. 4875 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS - LEGISLATIVE INFO.: INTERNET ACCESS

LEGISLATIVE INFO.: INTERNET ACCESS - H.B. 4875 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4875 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor: Representative Nancy Quarles

House Committee: Advanced Technology and Computer Development

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Legislative Council Act to require the Legislative Council, beginning July 1, 1999, to make available to the public on the Internet, free of charge, the status of every bill and resolution that was introduced in each house during the current legislative session. The bill provides that the information maintained by the Council and placed on the Internet would have to be made available in the shortest feasible time after the information was available. The information that was not maintained by the Council would have to be made available in the shortest feasible time after it was made available to the Council. The bill states that it would not alter or relinquish any copyright or other proprietary interest or entitlement of the State relating to any of the information made available.

Proposed MCL 4.1204e - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

The following fiscal statement includes the combined impact of House Bills 4875, 4884, 4886, and 5006.

Revenue generated by the Legislative Council from access fees to electronic databases (Questor and Bill Status) totaled $79,360 in FY 1996-97. Under the bills, the Legislative Council would not be able to charge for information provided from access through the Internet.

The Library of Michigan has already made available on the Internet bills, resolutions, journals, calendars, committee schedules, session schedules, and public act tables. The Michigan Compiled Laws Database search and retrieval system is still being developed for the Internet. Costs incurred by the Library of Michigan have totaled approximately $100,000 for hardware and $400,000 for 5 FTEs related to maintenance of these systems. The project for the Michigan Compiled Laws has an estimated cost of $180,000.

Date Completed: 5-4-98 - Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanFLOOR\HB4875 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.