SRC-JLB H.B. 1166 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1166
78R10643 MXM-FBy: Solomons (Shapleigh)
Government Organization
5/10/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is
required to administer a common electronic system using TexasOnline.  A
licensing authority can use this system to electronically send
occupational licenses and other documents to persons regulated by the
authority and to the public;  to receive applications for occupational
licenses and other documents for filing from persons regulated by the
authority and from the public, including documents that can be
electronically signed if necessary;  and to receive required payments from
persons regulated by the authority and from the public.  The Government
Code requires numerous licensing authorities to participate in this
system.  H.B. 1166 provides greater on-line sharing of information among
licensing authorities. 

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 Subchapter I, Chapter 2054, Government Code, as added
by Chapter 353, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, by
adding Sections 2054.255 and 2054.256, as follows: 
 
Sec. 2054.255.  CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND OTHER INFORMATION.  (a) Requires the
system adopted under Section 2054.253, as added by Chapter 353, Acts of
the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, to allow a person regulated
by one or more licensing authorities to file a single change of address
on-line with the Department of Information Resources (DIR).  Requires DIR
to provide the new address to each appropriate licensing authority. 

(b)  Authorizes DIR to expand the system to include additional categories
of updated information that license holders may need to provide to more
than one licensing authority. 
 
(c)  Authorizes DIR, if it uses TexasOnline to implement the system, to
recover costs incurred under this section as provided by Section 2054.252,
as added by Chapter 342, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session,
2001. 
 
Sec. 2054.256.  SHARING OF INFORMATION.  (a)  Requires each licensing
authority to electronically share information regarding license holders,
especially information regarding disciplinary information, with other
licensing authorities to the extent it is feasible to do so and allowed by
other law, under appropriate controls for the privacy, security, accuracy,
and, when applicable, confidentiality of the information. 
 
(b)  Authorizes a licensing authority to only use information it receives
electronically under this section for regulatory purposes. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.