HBA-JLV S.B. 645 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 645
By: Shapiro
State Affairs
3/19/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Occupational licensing is intended to prohibit unqualified people from
practicing licensed occupations and to protect the public by ensuring
compliance with government regulations. The current occupational licensing
process in Texas is largely paper based which can be expensive and time
consuming.  Senate Bill 645 implements an electronic system for
occupational licensing transactions operated by the Department of
Information Resources.  

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 645 amends the Government Code to require the Department of
Information Resources (DIR) to establish an electronic system for
occupational licensing transactions for state licensing authorities. The
bill specifies the licensing authorities that are required to participate
in the system and provides for the voluntary participation of others. The
bill authorizes the comptroller to add additional agencies as system
capabilities are developed.  The bill sets forth provisions for the
creation and operation of the system by DIR, and the fees DIR is required
to charge.   DIR is authorized  to contract with a private vendor to
implement the system, payable only from the fees DIR is required to charge.
The bill requires each licensing authority that participates in the system
to comply with DIR's schedule for the implementation of the system. The
bill provides that a steering committee be established for electronic
occupational licensing transactions. The bill sets forth provisions for the
creation, membership, powers, and duties of the steering committee, and
establishes a deadline of January 1, 2002 for the appointment of committee
members.   DIR is required to adopt a schedule for implementing the system
by April 1, 2002 that will permit the initial group of licensing
authorities to utilize the system by September 1, 2002. The bill also
requires DIR to report to each house of the legislature and specified
committees on DIR's progress in implementing the system by January 1, 2003.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.