By Kitchen                                            H.B. No. 2016
         77R2068 MCK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to electronic filing of reports with state agencies.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 2054.063 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 2054.063.  ELECTRONIC REPORTING TO STATE AGENCIES. The
 1-7     department shall advise and consult with state agencies to assess
 1-8     opportunities for allowing persons to electronically file with an
 1-9     agency information that the agency requires a person to report.
1-10     The department shall identify the cost of implementing an
1-11     electronic reporting procedure and any barriers to electronic
1-12     reporting.  The department may:
1-13                 (1)  survey state agencies to identify:
1-14                       (A)  electronic reporting efforts currently being
1-15     used by an agency;
1-16                       (B)  common needs among agencies; and
1-17                       (C)  opportunities to use a standardized approach
1-18     to electronic reporting;
1-19                 (2)  identify the costs associated with electronic
1-20     reporting;
1-21                 (3)  identify reports that may be filed electronically;
1-22                 (4)  advise an agency regarding ways the agency may
1-23     effectively and economically allow electronic reporting to the
1-24     agency; and
 2-1                 (5)  develop and implement a plan to adopt electronic
 2-2     reporting in state government, whenever it is effective and
 2-3     efficient to do so.
 2-4           SECTION 2. The Department of Information Resources shall make
 2-5     recommendations to the legislature about opportunities for
 2-6     electronic reporting in state government not later than September
 2-7     1, 2002.
 2-8           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.