Honorable Dade Phelan, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2476 by Guillen (Relating to the operations, communications, and notice procedures of state agencies.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, although some agencies may experience an indeterminate but positive fiscal impact as a result of being able to transmit and receive documents in electronic format.
The bill would require Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to compile a biennial report listing all statutorily required reports, and, with the assistance of state agencies, assessments as to the ongoing usefulness of those reports. As the agency currently compiles this report as required by rider, no fiscal impact is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to allow a state agency to transmit and receive documents in a format prescribed by the agency, provided it does not compromise program delivery or violate federal law. This is expected to result in cost avoidance and increased available staff time for agencies. The bill would include a one-time requirement that agencies report cost savings or other efficiencies achieved from this action in their next Legislative Appropriations Request.
The bill would require state agencies to submit statutorily required reports through the state electronic Internet portal (Texas.gov), once notification is provided by the Department of Information Resources (DIR) that the portal has been configured. The bill would also require DIR and TSLAC to develop guidelines for report submission and TSLAC to monitor agency usage of the portal in accordance with the bill. DIR estimates there would be a cost associated with configuring the Texas.gov state electronic Internet portal to meet the requirements of the bill; this analysis assumes the cost could be absorbed within existing resources
The bill would require the Comptroller of Public Accounts conduct a one-time study on mail operations of state agencies that receive an appropriation, and identify provisions of law relating to the mailing requirements for the agency that impede the efficient transmission and receipt of documents by the agency. No fiscal impact is anticipated by the agency.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
313 Department of Information Resources, 507 Texas Board of Nursing, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 305 General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board, 306 Library & Archives Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of, 601 Department of Transportation