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.