LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 28, 2021

TO:
Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2671 by Guillen (Relating to the operations, communications, and notice procedures of state agencies and political subdivisions.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

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:
300 Trusteed Programs - Gov, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 305 General Land Office, 306 Library & Archives Commission, 313 Department of Information Resources, 332 Dept Housing-Comm Affairs, 507 Texas Board of Nursing, 529 Hlth & Human Svcs Comm, 537 State Health Services, 601 Department of Transportation, 701 Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff:
JMc, SMAT, LCO, CST, WP, CMA, LLO, LBO, RD