Texas House Bill HB266

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/1/11
• Voted on by House: 4/8/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/5/11
• Report Pass: 3/29/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/17/11
• Engrossed: 4/8/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/20/11
• Report Pass: 5/5/11
• Enrolled: 5/18/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the use of address-matching software by certain state agencies.

Impact

The enactment of HB 266 is expected to affect the way state agencies conduct their mailing operations. By incorporating certified address-matching software into their processes, agencies will likely see reduced mailing errors and enhanced delivery success rates. Additionally, this bill may lead to significant cost savings for the state by optimizing mail services and reducing waste on undelivered or misdelivered correspondence. Overall, the bill promotes a more efficient administrative framework for state-operated communications.

Summary

House Bill 266 addresses the use of address-matching software by certain state agencies in Texas. Its primary purpose is to enhance the efficiency of bulk mail processes while ensuring compliance with postal service standards. The bill allows state agencies to utilize various mail services to lower postal costs, provided they can maintain acceptable standards of accountability, timeliness, security, and quality of service. By mandating the use of certified address-matching software, the bill aims to improve the accuracy of addresses used in official communications and service deliveries.

Contention

While the bill appears to streamline processes for state agencies and reduce costs, there may be concerns regarding the implications of such automation. Critics could argue that reliance on software for address verification may introduce vulnerabilities, such as data privacy issues and potential inaccuracies in automated systems. Moreover, the bill may raise questions about the adequacy of oversight on contracted mailing service providers, ensuring they comply with the mandated software standards. Thus, the balance between efficiency and oversight will be crucial as the bill is implemented.