BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1703
81R8423 MCK-F By: Fraser
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the United States Postal Service charges an additional fee of $2.70 to send an item by certified mail, charges $2.20 for a return receipt, and assesses an additional registered mail fee starting at $10.00. In October 2008, fees for certified and registered mail and return receipts cost the secretary of state (SOS) $8,857.50. Taking October 2008 to be an average month, the additional cost of certified mail and return receipts is approximately $106,290 annually.
As proposed, S.B. 1703 authorizes SOS to use alternative means of delivery when SOS is required by law to use registered or certified mail if SOS determines that the alternative means of delivery provide similar levels of accountability, timeliness, security, and quality of service.
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 B, Chapter 405, Government Code, by adding Section 405.023, as follows:
Sec. 405.023. ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DELIVERY. Authorizes the secretary of state (SOS), when required by law to make a delivery using registered or certified mail, to use an alternative method of delivery if SOS determines that the alternative method of delivery provides similar levels of accountability, timeliness, security, and quality of service.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.