SRC-BWC S.B. 428 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 428
77R2371 BDH-DBy: Lucio
State Affairs
4/12/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there are approximately thirty-five state agencies that
distribute general revenue or federallyfunded grants to local governments
and non-profit organizations, largely through paper processes. There are
many different forms, procedures, award decision-making processing systems,
and payment methods.  Paper-driven processes consume large amounts of paper
and are subject to more problems with inconsistency and data entry errors
than electronic processes.  A statewide electronic grants management system
could streamline this process, saving time and paper, increasing data
accuracy, and improving the allocation of state and federal funding.  As
proposed, S.B. 428 requires the Department of Information Resources to
conduct a study to determine costs and benefits of a statewide electronic
grants management system which increases the awareness of grant
availability; provides a single location for accessing grant information;
provides a searchable database; and allows electronic submission of grant
applications.  The study must identify any state agencies that offer grants
and consumer groups affected by the grants.  The study must also look at
computer software for grant tracking and the possibility of using
public-private partnerships and cost reimbursement options. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Department of Information
Resources in SECTION 1 of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Requires the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to
conduct a study that identifies certain state agencies offering grants and
consumer groups affected by the grants, in order to determine the costs and
benefits of establishing a statewide electronic grants management system
designed to perform certain tasks regarding grants.  Requires the study to
consider whether available grant-tracking computer software can be used in
an electronic grants management system in this state and the possibility of
using certain methods to lower the costs of providing an electronic grants
management system.  Authorizes DIR to request from the Electronic Grants
Technical Assistance Workshop certain information related to opportunities
for improving grant management.  Requires DIR, not later than September 1,
2002, to provide to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
legislature a report of the findings of the study conducted under this Act.
Requires DIR, on completion of the study required by this Act, to by rule
design and implement a statewide electronic grants management system based
on the findings of the study. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.