| |
| |
| |
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to modernization of state agency Internet websites and |
|
|
digital services. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 2054, Government Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subchapter S to read as follows: |
|
|
SUBCHAPTER S. MODERNIZATION OF STATE AGENCY INTERNET WEBSITES AND |
|
|
DIGITAL SERVICES |
|
|
Sec. 2054.651. STATE AGENCY DIGITAL MODERNIZATION. Each |
|
|
state agency shall assess the agency's Internet website and online |
|
|
service portals to identify areas for improvement in user |
|
|
accessibility, navigation, and digital service efficiency. In |
|
|
performing the assessment, a state agency shall consider: |
|
|
(1) strategies to simplify user access to forms, |
|
|
applications, and agency services; |
|
|
(2) opportunities to reduce or eliminate paperwork |
|
|
requirements if electronic alternatives exist; |
|
|
(3) enhancements to ensure compliance with |
|
|
accessibility standards under Subchapter M; |
|
|
(4) using responsive web design to ensure the agency's |
|
|
Internet website is equally accessible using a desktop computer, |
|
|
laptop computer, or mobile device, including a tablet or cellular |
|
|
telephone; |
|
|
(5) adopting best practices for search functionality, |
|
|
page load speed, and service integration; and |
|
|
(6) using the department's web page templates and web |
|
|
design guidelines to provide consistency among state agency |
|
|
Internet websites and improve the usability of the website. |
|
|
Sec. 2054.652. INTERAGENCY GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. (a) In |
|
|
this section, "user-centered design" means a design approach |
|
|
focused on optimizing the user experience by improving Internet |
|
|
website navigation, accessibility, and responsiveness. |
|
|
(b) The department shall provide guidance and technical |
|
|
assistance for use by state agencies in standardizing agency |
|
|
modernization planning efforts required by Section 2054.651. |
|
|
(c) The department shall develop and disseminate best |
|
|
practices for user-centered design, digital accessibility, and |
|
|
service integration, including web page templates and web design |
|
|
guidelines that provide a consistent look for state agency Internet |
|
|
websites and simplify user navigation. |
|
|
(d) The department may establish a working group of state |
|
|
agency technology officers to facilitate information sharing and |
|
|
support consistency across agencies. |
|
|
Sec. 2054.653. LEGISLATIVE REPORT. (a) Not later than |
|
|
November 15, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the |
|
|
legislature detailing the status of the state agency digital |
|
|
modernization planning efforts required by this subchapter and |
|
|
identifying common priorities and challenges. |
|
|
(b) This section expires January 1, 2027. |
|
|
Sec. 2054.654. REVIEW OF DIGITAL MODERNIZATION EFFORTS. |
|
|
(a) Each state agency, in coordination with the department and the |
|
|
Legislative Budget Board, shall: |
|
|
(1) biennially review the implementation of the |
|
|
agency's digital modernization efforts under this subchapter, |
|
|
including a review of the: |
|
|
(A) cost-efficiency of the agency's digital |
|
|
modernization efforts; |
|
|
(B) effectiveness of digital service upgrades in |
|
|
improving public access; and |
|
|
(C) agency's compliance with any statewide |
|
|
guidance relating to digital modernization; and |
|
|
(2) submit the findings of the review described by |
|
|
Subdivision (1) to the department. |
|
|
(b) Not later than December 1 of each odd-numbered year, the |
|
|
department shall prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant |
|
|
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report |
|
|
on the findings submitted under Subsection (a)(2). |
|
|
(c) This section expires September 1, 2031. |
|
|
SECTION 2. The Department of Information Resources shall |
|
|
submit the initial report required by Section 2054.654(b), |
|
|
Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1, |
|
|
2027. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
| |
| |
| |
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
| |
President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
| |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 5195 was passed by the House on May 8, |
|
|
2025, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
|
|
voting. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
| |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 5195 was passed by the Senate on May |
|
|
21, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
APPROVED: _____________________ |
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
_____________________ |
|
|
Governor |