Sec. 405.018. COMPUTER INFORMATION. (a) The secretary of state may establish a system to provide access by electronic data transmittal processes to information that is:

(1) stored in state computer record banks maintained by the secretary of state;

(2) not classified as confidential under a statute or court decision; and

(3) not maintained by the secretary of state under:

(A) Chapter 572;

(B) Title 15, Election Code; or

(C) Chapter 305, Government Code.

(b) The secretary of state may:

(1) develop computer software to facilitate the discharge of the constitutional and statutory duties of the office; and

(2) enter agreements to transfer the software on the terms and conditions specified in the agreements.

(c) Computer software developed under Subsection (b) shall be reviewed and certified by the Automated Information and Telecommunications Council.

(d) The secretary of state shall set and charge a fee for access to information under Subsection (a) in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of establishing and administering the system under that subsection. The secretary of state may assess a reasonable fee for a transfer of software under Subsection (b).

(e) The secretary of state may set and charge a fee for access to public information through telephone information banks in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of providing the information. The secretary of state may contract with a third party to provide the telephone service and to bill the users of the service.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 4, Sec. 2.12(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 5, Sec. 3.01(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(40), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.