Sec. 55.203. DIRECTORY PUBLISHED BY PRIVATE PUBLISHER. (a) A private for-profit publisher of a residential telephone directory that is distributed to the public at minimal or no cost shall include in the directory:

(1) a listing of any toll-free and local telephone numbers of:

(A) state agencies;

(B) state public services; and

(C) each state elected official who represents all or part of the geographical area for which the directory contains listings; and

(2) the Internet address of the state electronic Internet portal and a statement that Internet sites for state agencies may be accessed through the state electronic Internet portal.

(b) The listing required by this section must be:

(1) clearly identified; and

(2) located or clearly referenced at the front of the directory before the main listing of residential and business telephone numbers.

(c) The commission by rule may specify:

(1) the format of the listing; and

(2) criteria for inclusion of agencies, services, and officials.

(d) The commission's rules must require a publisher to list:

(1) the telephone number for state government information; and

(2) telephone numbers alphabetically by:

(A) the subject matter of agency programs; and

(B) agency name.

(e) The commission, with the cooperation of other state agencies, shall:

(1) compile relevant information to ensure accuracy of information in the listing; and

(2) provide the information to a telecommunications utility or telephone directory publisher within a reasonable time after a request by the utility or publisher.

(f) The Department of Information Resources shall cooperate with the commission and with publishers to ensure that the subject matter listing of programs and telephone numbers in the telephone directories are consistent with the categorization developed by the Records Management Interagency Coordinating Council under Section 441.203(j), Government Code.

(g) The rules adopted under Subsection (d) must provide that a telecommunications utility that publishes and distributes to the public a residential or business telephone directory shall list prominently in the directory the contact information for the specialized telecommunications assistance program established under Subchapter E, Chapter 56.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.06(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 424, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 20.002, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 937 (H.B. 3560), Sec. 2.08, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 973 (H.B. 1504), Sec. 32, eff. June 17, 2011.