AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Lack of data coordination and transparency across state agencies limits opportunities for informed decision making. As a result, streamlining government and making it more efficient is critical to serving the needs of Texans. S.B. 1844 creates an interim commission to research and recommend legislation to the 85th Legislature regarding state agency data coordination and transparency. This commission would study the current public data structure, classification, sharing, and reporting protocols for state agencies and the possibility of collecting and posting data from state agencies online in an open source format easily accessible by the public. This study would consider methods of improving coordination and sharing of data between state agencies, reducing costs of data collection, reducing the duplication of data and information, and increasing data transparency. The commission ultimately could serve to improve operations performed by state agencies, increase state agency accountability to decision-makers and the public, uncover fraud and waste, improve information management and analysis to increase information security, and enhance state agencies' efficiency.
S.B. 1844 amends current law relating to the establishment and functions of the Interagency Data Transparency Commission.
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 Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 2060, as follows:
CHAPTER 2060. INTERAGENCY DATA TRANSPARENCY COMMISSION
Sec. 2060.001. DEFINITION. Defines "commission."
Sec. 2060.002. COMMISSION CREATED. Provides that the Interagency Data Transparency Commission (commission) is created to study and review:
(1) the current public data structure, classification, sharing, and reporting protocols for state agencies; and
(2) the possibility of collecting and posting data from state agencies online in an open source format that is machine-readable, exportable, and easily accessible by the public.
Sec. 2060.003. STUDY. Requires the study conducted by the commission to consider methods to:
(1) structure, classify, and share data among state agencies;
(2) more efficiently gather and process data;
(3) collect and post data online in an open source format that is machine-readable, exportable, and easily accessible by the public;
(4) standardize data across state agencies;
(5) incorporate reporting practices by state agencies into the open data systems of the state;
(6) improve coordination of interagency data;
(7) improve sharing of data between state agencies;
(8) reduce the costs of collecting data;
(9) reduce duplicative data and information;
(10) increase accountability and ensure state agencies share and report the data collected by the state agencies;
(11) improve information management and analysis to:
(A) increase information security;
(B) uncover fraud and waste;
(C) reduce costs incurred by state agencies;
(D) improve operations performed by state agencies; and
(E) verify compliance with applicable laws; and
(12) determine other data and transparency issues.
Sec. 2060.004. REPORT. (a) Requires the commission to provide to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a final report on data reporting practices by state agencies not later than September 1, 2016. Requires the report to include:
(1) recommendations for efficient and effective solutions under the commission's charge under Section 2060.003, in addition to solutions to other data and transparency issues identified by the commission;
(2) proposals for legislation necessary to implement the recommendations described by Subdivision (1);
(3) administrative recommendations; and
(4) a complete explanation of each of the commission's recommendations.
(b) Requires the commission to provide any additional reports requested by the governor, lieutenant governor, or speaker of the house of representatives.
Sec. 2060.005. MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. (a) Provides that the commission is composed of the following members:
(1) two representatives from the Department of Information Resources (DIR), appointed by the executive director of DIR;
(2) a representative of the Texas Legislative Council (TLC), appointed by the executive director of TLC;
(3) a representative of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), appointed by the director of the LBB;
(4) a member of each committee of the house of representatives and the senate with primary jurisdiction over information resources, appointed by the chair of each committee;
(5) the chair of the State Agency Coordinating Committee established by DIR, or a member of the committee appointed by the chair;
(6) a representative of the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas (comptroller), appointed by the comptroller;
(7) a representative appointed by the governor, who serves as the presiding officer of the commission;
(8) a representative appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
(9) a representative appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Provides that a commission member is not entitled to reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.
(c) Requires a vacancy on the commission to be filled as soon as practicable in the same manner as the original appointment.
Sec. 2060.006. ASSISTANCE BY STATE AGENCIES. Requires the comptroller or a state agency with a representative on the commission to provide any assistance the commission requires to perform the commission's duties.
SECTION 2. (a) Requires each appointing official to appoint members to the commission not later than December 31, 2015.
(b) Requires the commission to meet not later than the 30th day after the date the final initial appointment is made under Section 2060.005, Government Code, as added by this Act, and to meet regularly as necessary at the call of the presiding officer.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.