H.B. 4875 (S-1), 4884 (S-1), 4886 (S-1), - LEGISLATIVE INFO.: INTERNET ACCESS

& 5006 (S-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY

House Bill 4875 (Substitute S-1)

House Bill 4884 (Substitute S-1)

House Bill 4886 (Substitute S-1)

House Bill 5006 (Substitute S-1)

Sponsor: Representative Nancy Quarles (H.B. 4875)

Representative Greg Kaza (H.B. 4884)

Representative Patricia Birkholz (H.B. 4886)

Representative Lingg Brewer (H.B. 5006)

House Committee: Advanced Technology and Computer Development

Senate Committee: Government Operations

Date Completed: 4-29-98

CONTENT

The bills would amend the Legislative Council Act to require the Legislative Council to make available, free of charge, certain legislative information on the Internet. All the bills (except House Bill 5006 (S-1)) provide that the information maintained by the Council and placed on the Internet under the bills 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. Each 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. The bills would do the following:

-- House Bill 4875 (S-1) would require the Council, beginning July 1, 1999, to make the status of every bill and resolution that was introduced in each house during the current legislative session available to the public on the Internet.

-- House Bill 4884 (S-1) would require the Council, beginning July 1, 1999, to make available to the public on the Internet the text of each bill introduced, passed by each house, and enrolled during the current session.

-- House Bill 4886 (S-1) would require the Council, beginning December 31, 1998, for the current legislative session, to make available to the public on the Internet the legislative calendar; notices of legislative committee and subcommittee meetings, including the agendas; and a listing of the committees of each house and their members.

-- House Bill 5006 (S-1) would require the Council, beginning July 1, 1999, to make available to the public on the Internet the Michigan Compiled Laws database search and retrieval system. The Council could not charge a fee for this information after June 30, 1999.

Currently, the Legislative Council Act specifies that the Council may provide access to computerized legislative databases and information to individuals and organizations that are not a part of the legislative branch of government; and establish a system of fees and charges for access and services. House Bill 5006 (S-1) would eliminate reference to a system of fees and charges for access and services.

Proposed MCL 4.1204e (H.B. 4875) - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

Proposed MCL 4.1204b (H.B. 4884)

Proposed MCL 4.1204a (H.B. 4886)

MCL 4.1204 (H.B. 5006)

FISCAL IMPACT

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 access to those services beginning July 1, 1999.

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.

- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9798\S4875SA

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.