SRC-DPW S.B. 1712 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1712
76R7343 JRD-DBy: Ellis
State Affairs
4/20/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, state agencies do not coordinate efforts to respond to questions
by the citizenry and have developed separate approaches for helping
customers over the phone.  Duplication of agency effort and citizen
frustration with government are reasons cited as being the result of the
current system.  This bill would establish the Access Texas Information
Center (center), to be administered by the General Services Commission, to
provide around-the-clock, toll-free assistance to citizens searching for
state information and services.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1712 establishes a common information center for state
government through which public inquiries can be transferred to the
appropriate state governmental entity and frequently requested information
can be forwarded. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2170, Government Code, by adding Subchapter C, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER C. ACCESS TEXAS INFORMATION CENTER

Sec. 2170.101. INFORMATION CENTER. Requires the General Services Commission
(commission) to staff and operate an Access Texas information center
(center), which is in addition to and does not supplant information centers
operated by other state agencies.  Requires the center to establish and the
commission to publicize a toll-free telephone number to receive public
inquiries.  Requires the center to remain continuously open and take
certain action in response to telephone calls made to the center.  Requires
the center to establish and maintain an electronic database, and train
employees of the center on its use in performing their duties. Requires the
database to contain certain information related to governmental entities
and employees.  Requires the commission to establish and maintain an
Internet site that allows for public access to the electronic database.
Authorizes the commission to recover the costs of developing and operating
the center through interagency contracts.  Authorizes the center to charge
a certain fee after August 31, 2001 to recover operating costs, if the
commission does not receive direct appropriation to operate the center.   

Sec. 2170.102. COORDINATION WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES.  Requires the
commission to ensure that other state agencies have access to the
electronic database.  Requires the center and other state agencies to enter
into contracts to facilitate mutual assistance.   

Sec. 2170.103. PRIVATIZATION OF CENTER.  Authorizes the State Council on
Competitive Government (council) to  solicit bids or proposals from private
vendors to operate the center.  Requires the commission to assist the
council in evaluating bids and proposals. Authorizes the council to award a
contract to a private vendor if the bid or proposal offers the best value
to the state and the vendor will operate the center in a more efficient and
effective manner than the state.  Authorizes the council to conduct a
feasibility study on the consolidation of other state agency information
centers into the center.  Authorizes the council to consolidate other state
agency information centers into the center operated by a private vendor, if
the council  determines it feasible. 

SECTION 2. Prohibits the commission from receiving a direct appropriation
for the center for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2001.  Sets
forth provisions for the funding of the center.   

SECTION 3. Requires the electronic database, Internet site, equipment, and
software necessary for the operation of the center to be operational not
later than September 2000.  Requires the center's telephone number to be
listed in all telephone directories in the state by December 2000. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.