BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

C.S.S.B. 935

82R14498 JAM-D

By: Seliger

 

Open Government

 

3/31/2011

 

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, legislators receive certain notices sent by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) through inter-agency mail.  Due to the large quantity of paper the notification system requires, this bill would amend current law to allow legislators to receive those notifications via electronic means.

 

C.S.S.B. 935 amends current law relating to the method of delivery of certain notices sent by TCEQ.

 

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 Section 5.128, Water Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows: 

 

(a) Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to encourage the use of electronic reporting through the Internet, to the extent practicable, for reports required by TCEQ.  Authorizes TCEQ, notwithstanding any other law, to adjust fees as necessary to encourage electronic reporting and the use of TCEQ's electronic document receiving system.  Requires that an electric report be submitted in a format prescribed by TCEQ.  Authorizes TCEQ to consult with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) on developing a simple format for use in implementing this subsection.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

(a-1) Creates this subsection from existing text.  Provides that TCEQ, notwithstanding any other law, is authorized to utilize electronic means of transmission of information, including notices, orders, and decisions issued or sent by TCEQ, and is required to utilize only electronic means of transmission for any notice issued or sent by TCEQ to a state senator or representative, unless the senator or representative has requested to receive notice by mail.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.