SRC-VRA S.B. 1403 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1403
78R3117 JRD-DBy: Lucio
Government Organization
4/28/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The program management office within the Department of Information
Resources issued a report relating to the costs and benefits of
establishing an electronic grants management system for a state grant
program.  Due to limited technical information, the agency was unable to
issue a report that provided a detailed technical perspective on the costs
and benefits associated with implementing an integrated electronic grants
management system.  As proposed, S.B. 1403 directs the Department of
Information Resources to establish an electronically searchable central
database for all grants awarded by state agencies. 

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 C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, by adding
Section 2054.065, as follows: 
 
Sec. 2054.065.  ELECTRONICALLY SEARCHABLE CENTRAL GRANT DATABASE.  (a)
Defines "grant." 
 
(b)  Requires the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to establish
an electronically searchable central database accessible through
TexasOnline that will allow a person to access certain information. 
 
(c)  Requires each state agency that will award a grant to, concurrently
with any other action the agency takes to inform the public or any person
about the grant opportunity, report to DIR information related to the
grant that DIR requires in a form prescribed by DIR so that DIR may
include information about the grant in the electronically searchable
central database in accordance with Subsection (b). 
 
(d)  Requires DIR and the office of the governor jointly to appoint an
advisory committee composed of representatives of nine state agencies to
advise DIR regarding the development of the electronically searchable
central database and regarding DIR's exercise of its powers under
Subsection (c).  Requires DIR to perform the duties imposed by Sections
2110.005-2110.008 regarding the advisory committee.  Requires the advisory
committee to meet in Austin. Provides that a state agency that is
represented on the committee by a person who is not based in the Austin
area is responsible for any travel expenses incurred by its
representative. 
 
(e)  Requires DIR and the office of the governor jointly to appoint an
advisory committee composed of five public members to annually evaluate
the operation of the electronically searchable central database.  Requires
DIR to perform the duties imposed by Sections 2110.004-2110.008 regarding
the advisory committee. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.