1-1     By:  Duncan                                            S.B. No. 481
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed January 31, 2001; February 1, 2001,
 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
 1-4     February 14, 2001, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas
 1-5     8, Nays 0; February 14, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to electronic filing of reports with state agencies.
 1-9           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-10           SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is
1-11     amended by adding Section 2054.063 to read as follows:
1-12           Sec. 2054.063.  ELECTRONIC REPORTING TO STATE AGENCIES.  The
1-13     department shall advise and consult with state agencies to assess
1-14     opportunities for allowing persons to electronically file with an
1-15     agency information that the agency requires a person to report.
1-16     The department shall identify the cost of implementing an
1-17     electronic reporting procedure and any barriers to electronic
1-18     reporting.  The department may:
1-19                 (1)  survey state agencies to identify:
1-20                       (A)  electronic reporting efforts currently being
1-21     used by an agency;
1-22                       (B)  common needs among agencies; and
1-23                       (C)  opportunities to use a standardized approach
1-24     to electronic reporting;
1-25                 (2)  identify the costs associated with electronic
1-26     reporting;
1-27                 (3)  identify reports that may be filed electronically;
1-28                 (4)  advise an agency regarding ways the agency may
1-29     effectively and economically allow electronic reporting to the
1-30     agency; and
1-31                 (5)  develop and implement a plan to adopt electronic
1-32     reporting in state government, whenever it is effective and
1-33     efficient to do so.
1-34           SECTION 2.  The Department of Information Resources shall
1-35     make recommendations to the legislature about opportunities for
1-36     electronic reporting in state government not later than September
1-37     1, 2002.
1-38           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-39                                  * * * * *