1. (a) Purpose. The department may create and maintain an electronic travel information system to address the technological needs of the contributors and the consumers of Texas travel information. This information will inform travelers about the attractions and facilities available to the public and will encourage travel to and within the state of Texas. The system will serve as an efficient method of gathering and distributing travel information in an electronic form.

2. (b) Eligibility criteria. The following entities may contribute information to the electronic travel information system:

   1. (1) city and county governments;
   2. (2) state agencies;
   3. (3) chambers of commerce;
   4. (4) convention and visitors bureaus;
   5. (5) travel-related services or industries;
   6. (6) recreation-related services or industries; and
   7. (7) other travel services, or organizations of the travel industries that commonly serve the public.
3. (c) Eligible information. Contributors will follow the subject matter criteria found in §23.10(b) of this title (relating to Travel Literature).

4. (d) Application.

   1. (1) To contribute information to the electronic system, an entity shall submit an application in the form and manner prescribed by the department to the system administrator, Texas Department of Transportation, Travel and Information Division.
   2. (2) Applicants shall be required to update their information file in the form and manner prescribed by the department.
   3. (3) Information supplied in non-standard form must be approved by the system administrator. Due to space considerations, limits may be imposed on the quantity of information accepted. Information files supplied to the department for use in the information system will be updated as stated in specifications for the standard file.

5. (e) Use of information.

   1. (1) Information is freely accessible to the public. This access may be in the form of an electronic transfer or other access performed with a personal computer.
   2. (2) Individual contributors are responsible for licensing or giving permission to use the information that they contribute, including the rights to copy or publish the information for commercial or other purposes.
   3. (3) Any interested person or organization interested in licensing or obtaining permission to use the material contributed to the electronic travel information system for commercial purposes or other purposes must obtain such rights from the individual contributors.
   4. (4) A copyright notice will be prominently displayed with all files and information where applicable.

Source Note:The provisions of this §23.13 adopted to be effective August 19, 1994, 19 TexReg 6120.