Sec. 2054.1265.  POSTING HIGH-VALUE DATA SETS ON INTERNET.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "High-value data set" means information that can be used to increase state agency accountability and responsiveness, improve public knowledge of the agency and its operations, further the core mission of the agency, create economic opportunity, or respond to need and demand as identified through public consultation.  The term does not include information that is confidential or protected from disclosure under state or federal law.
(2)  "State agency" means a board, commission, office, department, or other agency in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government.  The term includes an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b)  Each state agency shall post on a generally accessible Internet website maintained by or for the agency each high-value data set created or maintained by the agency, if the agency:
(1)  determines that, using existing resources, the agency can post the data set on the Internet website at no additional cost to the state;
(2)  enters into a contract advantageous to the state under which the contractor posts the data set on the Internet website at no additional cost to the state; or
(3)  receives a gift or grant specifically for the purpose of posting one or more of the agency's high-value data sets on the Internet website.
(c)  A high-value data set posted by a state agency under this section must be raw data in open standard format that allows the public to search, extract, organize, and analyze the information.
(d)  The web page on which a state agency's high-value data set is posted must:
(1)  use the agency's Internet website home page address and include the uniform resource locator suffix "data"; and
(2)  have a conspicuously displayed link on either the agency's Internet website home page or another intuitive location accessible from the agency's Internet website home page.
(e)  A state agency may accept a gift or grant for the purpose of posting one or more of the agency's high-value data sets on an Internet website.
(f)  A state agency that posts a high-value data set on the Internet website maintained by or for the agency shall provide the department with a brief description of the data set and a link to the data set.  The department shall post the description and link on the state electronic Internet portal.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1328 (S.B. 701), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Amended by: 
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 740 (S.B. 279), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.