Texas Legislature, House of Representatives:

An Inventory of Records of Representative Fred M. Bosse at the Texas State Archives, 1991, 1993, 1995-2002, undated (bulk 1997-2000)

Biographical Sketch

Texas State Representative Fred M. Bosse was born on July 18, 1947. He received his BS from Texas A&M University and his JD in 1972 from the University of Houston, Bates College of Law. Bosse was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1990 and served through 2002 as a Democrat from Houston, representing District 128, Harris County (part). While in the House, he served on the following committees: Science and Technology (1991-1992); Natural Resources (1991-1994); Transportation (Vice-Chair 1993-1996); Calendars (1995-1996); State Affairs (1995-1996); Land and Resource Management (Chair 1997-1998, Member 1999-2000); Civil Practices (Member 1997-1998, Chair 1999-2002); Redistricting (1999-2002); and Environmental Regulation (2001-2002). In addition to his committee memberships, Bosse served on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission from 1997 to 2001.

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Scope and Contents of the Records

Records include correspondence, memoranda, bill copies, drafts, amendments, bill analyses, reports, studies, notes, printed materials, publications, legal records, a few photographs, and a videocassette, dating 1991, 1993, 1995-2002, undated (bulk 1997-2000), that document the actions and service of Texas State Representative Fred M. Bosse in the Texas Legislature and on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission during the 75th, 76th, and 77th Legislatures. Sunset Advisory Commission files include legislation proposed to continue and improve the services of Texas state agencies as required by the Sunset Advisory Commission, copies of agency staff reports and Sunset Commission recommendations, and agency information and background materials providing supporting documentation on the functions and activities of a number of agencies undergoing sunset review. A single file documents the Sunset Advisory Commission meeting held on January 10, 2001. Agencies reviewed by Bosse include, among others, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Texas Water Development Board, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Railroad Commission.

Bill files appear to be a mixture of general legislation on subjects of concern to Bosse and items introduced in response to Sunset Commission activities. Several legislative briefing books are associated with the bill files. Subjects of the files include child support, motor vehicles, electric utility competition, retirement benefits, annexation, and the functions of various state agencies. Publications maintained in Bosse's office include information on political action committee recommendations, summarize the major legislation passed during the 72nd through 76th Legislatures, include Sunset Advisory Commission reports, summarize enactments and budget and performance measures of the Texas Legislative Council and Legislative Budget Board, and provide assistance in using office software.

To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

In accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 306, Representative Fred M. Bosse allowed public access to the communications between himself and his constituents on December 2, 2002.

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act exceptions, including, but not limited to, home addresses, phone numbers, and personal family information of government employees and officials (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.117) and e-mail addresses (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.136), an archivist must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Chapter 552). The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate the information requested. If our review reveals information that may be excepted by the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an open records decision from the Attorney General on whether the records can be released. The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten working days after receiving a request to make this determination. The Attorney General has 45 working days to render a decision. Alternately, the Archives can inform you of the nature of the potentially excepted information and if you agree, that information can be redacted or removed and you can access the remainder of the records.

Restrictions on Use

Cotton gloves will be provided and must be worn to view photographs.

Please contact the Preservation Archivist to view the videotape.

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Related Material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item and cite the series), Records of Representative Fred M. Bosse, House of Representatives, Texas Legislature. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 2003/079

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by Representative Fred Bosse on December 2, 2003.

Processing Information

Nancy Enneking, March 2003

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Detailed Description of the Records

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