1. TIF Bill Hearing Set
2. SB 1116 Hearing Set

The Senate Finance Committee will consider SB 124 (Shapleigh), a bill to extend TIF. The bill, which has been modified since being introduced, will be heard on Monday, May 5. The revised bill maintains TIF's current direction and constituencies, while adding provisions for a statewide master technology plan and accountability measures.

TIF constituent groups are working together to present comprehensive and concise testimony. Dr. Julie Todaro will testify on behalf of TLA and the library community. If you would like to speak out in support of TIF, you are urged to call your senator (especially if he or she serves on the Senate Finance Committee) and ask them to support SB 124.

For contact information, go to: http://www.whattifhasdone.org/Senators.htm.

Senate Finance Committee

• Teel Bivens, Chair
• Judith Zaffirini, Vice-Chair
• Kip Averitt
• Gonzalo Barrientos
• Kim Brimer
• Robert Duncan
• Kyle Janek
• Jane Nelson
• Steve Ogden
• Florence Shapiro
• Eliot Shapleigh
• Todd Staples
• Royce West
• John Whitmire
• Tommy Williams

SB 1116 (Williams) has been set for a hearing on May 6, 2003 in the Criminal Justice Committee. This bill relates to the criminal and civil consequences of conduct involving the theft of or tampering with certain communication or information services. The bill aims at protecting content providers from exploitive illegal access. The bill's language is very broad, however, and may have the potential to place libraries in a situation that can be litigated when library patrons access information in ways that are reasonable and common. Furthermore, the bill would make such actions criminal offenses. While the language of the bill will likely be substantially revised, TLA is monitoring the progress of this bill.