BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1273
87R6532 RDS-F	By: Paxton
	Business & Commerce
	4/1/2021
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The state's official website, Texas.gov, is a Department of Information Resources (DIR) program that provides a centralized online location for state agency business. On Texas.gov, Texans can securely enter their personal and financial information to renew driver licenses and vehicle registrations, print on-demand driver records, order vital records such as birth certificates, or access a wide range of professional and occupational licenses and permits.

 

Texas by Texas (TxT) is a new product from Texas.gov that provides a mobile-first digital experience. TxT allows agencies to integrate constituent services so Texans can complete transactions quickly and securely. TxT users can create a single account and profile, access a personalized dashboard with stored payment information and transaction history, and establish notification preferences for alerts and reminders. 

 

TxT will be available to download as a native mobile application by the end of 2021. State law encourages state agencies to use the state's official website to centralize services for Texans and eliminate cost duplication. Section 2054.113(b), Government Code, prohibits state agencies from duplicating Texas.gov infrastructure components without DIR's approval. This statute was passed in 2001 before the development of native mobile applications, thus does not completely reflect current technology. S.B. 1273 amends Section 2054.113(c), Government Code, to add "including a function of a native mobile application" to the requirement that state agencies notify DIR before contracting with a third party to build an application.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1273 amends current law relating to state agency contracts for Internet application development.

 

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 2054.113(c), Government Code, as follows:

 

(c)  Requires a state agency, before the state agency is authorized to contract with a third party for Internet application development that duplicates a state electronic Internet portal function, including a function of a native mobile application, to notify the Department of Information Resources of its intent to bid for such services at the same time that others have the opportunity to bid. 

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of Section 2054.113(c), Government Code, as amended by this Act, prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:� September 1, 2021.