BILL ANALYSIS
By: Swinford
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Telecommunications technology has changed rapidly in recent years while the relevant laws have not changed with the technology. The purpose of CSHB 2699 is to update certain statutes to make the law consistent with technology, to revise outdated statutes, and to provide cost-savings opportunities for the State.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
Strikes the word “intercity” from the definition of “telecommunications services.” Amends the definition of “telecommunications services” to include local services over converged networks. Allows DIR to contract for telecommunications services without a competitive bid with the Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN) or its successors. Provides and exclusive list of purposes for which DIR may divert services traffic to LEARN.
Allows an ex officio member of the DIR board of directors to designate either the information resources manager or another senior manager of the member's agency to represent the agency on the board. Changes an ex officio member of the Commission on State Emergency Communications from the executive director of the General Services Commission (GSC) to the executive director of the Department of Information Resources.
Allows DIR to contract for service with a private entity providing a service to a state agency through an existing contract for services in support of the core mission of the agency. The state must receive a cost savings and the contract between DIR and the private entity must exist only because of a telecommunication network project.
Repeals a chapter relating to information technology project delays caused by conversion of dates to the year 2000. Repeals the September 1, 2005 expiration of occupational license subscription fees paid to TexasOnline.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
CSHB 2699 removes language concerning converged networks.
CSHB 2699 defines more specifically from whom services can be acquired from without a competitive bid for the reasons set out; Explains the reasons for the acquisition of services discussed in (a)
CSHB 2699 removes Section 6 of the bill as filed. Section 6 of CSHB 2699 adds language that narrowly defines private businesses or entities that can contract with the department for services. The entity's use must be cost saving to the state and the entity's contract would be used only for a consolidation project between the state agency and the department.