BILL ANALYSIS
By: Shapleigh
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
TexasOnline was created in 1999 with the goal of streamlining interactions between the state of Texas, state agencies, and other governmental entities and the public. This state website, for the past seven years, has continued to deliver convenient and cost-effective services to the public. Since 2003, TexasOnline has grown to include a professional profile system for occupational licenses, an expanded common occupational licensing system, a court eFiling system, a natural resources portal, and a voter registration change of address system. The TexasOnline Status Report of September 1, 2004, reports significant savings for entities such as Texas A&M University, the Texas Real Estate Commission, and the Department of Public Safety. Although TexasOnline has been successful, the TexasOnline Authority has spent thousands of dollars expanding services.
As proposed, S.B. 825 addresses the funding needs associated with TexasOnline's growth by allowing the TexasOnline Authority to reinvest revenue to fund the development of three portals that will provide access to information regarding education, business, and state employees.
The development these portals will not require additional financial support from the state, but will be funded by a share of revenue generated by TexasOnline. The funding of these portals is necessary to ensure that these legislative directives to create portals do not become unfunded mandates. TexasOnline growth has been slowed by unfunded mandates, such as the education portal created by the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003. Therefore, in order for the legislative intent of these programs to be successful, there must be flexibility in their funding.
Approval of S.B. 825 will ensure that the legislative directives will be funded so that the state's website can continue to grow and deliver convenient and cost-effective services to the people of Texas.
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
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 2054, Government Code, by adding Section 2054.272, as follows:
Sec. 2054.272. USE OF REVENUE FOR PORTALS. Authorizes the TexasOnline Authority to use not more than 50 percent of the state's share of revenue generated by TexasOnline to develop Internet portals that provide access to information regarding education, business, and state employees.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.