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.