HBA-JLV S.B. 481 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 481
By: Duncan
State Affairs
3/19/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, most state agencies that require routine regulatory
reports do not, for various reasons, accept electronic filings.   The
information requested by these agencies is necessary for the government to
maintain standards for everything from air quality to oil and gas drilling.
However, these reports can require considerable time to fill out and result
in huge personnel costs to the private sector.  Senate Bill 481 requires
the Department of Information Resources to advise and consult with state
agencies to determine opportunities for allowing persons to electronically
file required information with agencies, while identifying costs associated
with electronic reporting.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 481 amends the Government Code to require the Department of
Information Resources (DIR) to advise and consult with state agencies to
assess opportunities for allowing persons to electronically file required
information with an agency. The bill requires DIR to identify the cost of
implementing an electronic reporting procedure and any barriers to
electronic reporting. The bill authorizes DIR to survey state agencies,
identify the costs associated with electronic reporting, identify reports
that may be filed electronically, advise an agency, and develop and
implement a plan to adopt electronic reporting in state government,
whenever it is effective and efficient to do so. The bill requires DIR to
report its recommendations to the legislature no later than September 1,
2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.