Texas House Bill HB2870

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/8/11
• Introduced: 3/10/11
• Voted on by House: 4/25/11
• Refer: 3/17/11
• Report Pass: 3/30/11
• Engrossed: 4/25/11
• Refer: 5/4/11

Caption

Relating to the elimination of certain required reports prepared by state agencies and institutions of higher education.

Impact

The bill proposes to amend specific sections of the Agriculture Code and the Education Code, primarily by removing clauses that require various reports to be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders. The implications of this change suggest a shift toward a more streamlined approach to governance. Supporters believe that less paperwork will lead to enhanced productivity within agencies, while also potentially reallocating resources toward more impactful program funding.

Summary

House Bill 2870 focuses on the elimination of certain required reports that are currently mandated for state agencies and institutions of higher education in Texas. The primary motivation behind this legislation is to reduce the bureaucratic burden placed on these entities by requiring less frequent or potentially less detailed reporting. Proponents argue that this change can improve operational efficiency and allow agencies to focus more on their core functions rather than on compliance with extensive reporting regulations.

Contention

While the bill presents an opportunity for efficiency, it may also raise concerns among transparency advocates. The removal of certain reporting requirements might lead to less oversight of how funds are used by agencies. Critics may argue that reduced reporting could hinder accountability and weaken the legislative branch's ability to monitor state agency performance effectively. As such, the discussion surrounding HB 2870 is likely to focus on balancing the need for operational efficiency against the imperatives of transparency and oversight.