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 * * * * *