SRC-LBB S.B. 622 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 622
78R1390 MXM-DBy: Armbrister
State Affairs
3/21/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law requires the Texas Department of Information
Resources (DIR) to administer a common Internet-based system to allow
professional and occupational licensees to apply for their licenses
through Texas Online, an Internet portal site operated by DIR.  However,
Texas Online does not address customer service issues for licensing
agencies.  As proposed, S.B. 622  requires the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation to establish a vendor contract for a centralized
customer service center to administer occupational license transactions in
Texas by state licensing agencies.  This bill requires the program
management office of DIR to establish, manage, and oversee the contract
with the private vendor. 

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 2054I, Government Code, by adding Section
2054.255, as follows: 

Sec.  2054.255.  CREATION OF CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER; SELECTION OF
VENDOR.  (a)  Requires the Department of Information Resources to contract
with a private vendor to design and implement the technology, including
software and hardware requirements, for a central customer service center
to administer occupational license transactions in this state by state
licensing authorities.  Requires the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation to manage and oversee the center as provided by Section 51.502,
Occupations Code. 

  (b)  Requires the center to include an interactive voice response system.

(c)  Requires the program management office to establish, manage, and
oversee the contract with the private vendor.  Requires the contract to
meet certain requirements. 

(d)  Requires payments to the vendor selected under this section to be
based on cost reductions resulting from improved efficiency, including
savings from full-time employee reductions at licensing authorities. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 51, Occupations Code, by adding Subchapter J,
as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER J.  CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER

Sec.  51.501.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "customer service center" and
"licensing authority."  

Sec.  51.502.  MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
CENTER.  Requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
(department) to perform certain functions in the management and oversight
of central customer service center. 

Sec.  51.503.  USE OF CENTER.  (a)  Requires certain licensing authorities
to use the center.  
(b)  Authorizes a licensing authority other than an authority listed by
Subsection (a) to use the center, subject to department approval. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the Department of Information Resources, the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the vendor chosen under
Section 2054.255, Government Code, as added by this Act, to report to the
lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives on the
status of the central customer service center no later than November 1,
2004. 

 (b)  Requires the report to contain certain items.

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.