SRC-BWC C.S.S.B. 645 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 645 REVISED 77R7759 SMH-DBy: Shapiro State Affairs 3/5/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, state agency use of the Internet portal is not facilitated in a manner which makes government more efficient and consumer friendly. C.S.S.B. 645 requires 23 occupational licensing authorities to offer services online through a central government site. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2054, Government Code, by adding Subchapter I, as follows: SUBCHAPTER I. ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING TRANSACTIONS Sec. 2054.251. DEFINITIONS. Defines "licensing authority" and "occupational license." Sec. 2054.252. APPLICABILITY. Sets forth a list of licensing authorities that are required to participate in the system established under Section 2054.253. Authorizes the comptroller of public accounts (comptroller) to add any additional agencies as capabilities are developed. Authorizes additional licensing authorities to participate in the system established under Section 2054.253, subject to the approval of the Department of Information Resources (department). Sec. 2054.253. ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING TRANSACTIONS. Requires the department to administer a common electronic system using the Internet through which a licensing authority can electronically perform certain tasks. Authorizes the department to implement this section in phases. Requires each licensing authority that participates in the system established under this section to comply with the schedule established by the department. Authorizes the department to use any Internet portal established under a demonstration project administered by the department. Authorizes the department to contract with a private vendor, and provides that the contract is payable only from fees collected under Subsection (e). Requires the department to charge certain fees in amounts sufficient to cover the cost of implementing this section. Sec. 2054.254. STEERING COMMITTEE. Provides that the steering committee for electronic occupational licensing transactions consists of a representative of each of the following, appointed by its governing body: each licensing authority listed by Section 2054.252(a) and the department. Authorizes the governing body of a licensing authority described by Section 2054.252(b) to appoint a representative to the committee. Provides that each committee member serves at the will of the authority that appointed the member. Provides that the representative of the department is the presiding officer of the committee. Requires the committee to meet as prescribed by committee procedures or at the call of the presiding officer. Requires the committee to advise the department regarding the department's implementation of Section 2054.253. Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees) does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the committee. Authorizes any reimbursement of the expenses of a member of the committee to be paid only from funds available to the governmental entity the member represents. SECTION 2. Requires each licensing authority listed by Section 2054.252(a), Government Code, as added by this Act, and the department to appoint the members of the steering committee for electronic occupational licensing transactions, not later than January 1, 2002. Requires the department to adopt a schedule for implementing Section 2054.253, Government Code, as added by this Act. Requires the schedule, not later than September 1, 2002, to permit the initial group of licensing authorities to perform the functions described by Section 2054.253(a), Government Code, as added by this Act. Requires the department, not later than January 1, 2003, to report to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature and to the presiding officers of the committees of each house of the legislature that have primary oversight jurisdiction over the department or over a licensing authority listed by Section 2054.252(a), Government Code, as added by this Act, on the department's progress in implementing Section 2054.253, Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from As Filed version by adding the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to the list of licensing authorities required to participate in the electronic system. Authorizes the comptroller to add additional agencies.