82R9692 CJC-D
By: Frullo H.B. No. 2914
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the study of efficiency, productivity, and
cost-effectiveness in state agency operations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Executive head of a state agency" has the meaning
assigned by Section 572.002, Government Code.
(2) "State agency" means an agency, department,
office, or other entity in the executive, legislative, or judicial
branch of state government. The term includes an institution of
higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) Not later than October 1, 2011, the executive head of
each state agency shall establish a work group consisting of five
members within the agency to study and make recommendations
regarding improving the efficiency, productivity, and
cost-effectiveness of the agency's operations.
(c) Each work group shall, at a minimum, consider reducing
expenses and improving efficiency by:
(1) consolidating any reports or publications the
agency is required to make and filing or delivering any of those
reports or publications exclusively by electronic means;
(2) extending the effective period of any license,
permit, or registration the agency grants or administers;
(3) entering into a contract with another governmental
entity or with a private vendor to carry out any of the agency's
duties;
(4) adopting additional eligibility requirements for
persons who receive benefits under any law the agency administers
to ensure that those benefits are received by the most deserving
persons consistent with the purposes for which the benefits are
provided;
(5) providing that any communication between the
agency and another person and any document required to be delivered
to or by the agency, including any application, notice, billing
statement, receipt, or certificate, may be made or delivered by
e-mail or through the Internet; and
(6) adopting and collecting reasonable fees or charges
to cover any costs the agency incurs in performing its lawful
functions.
(d) Not later than April 1, 2012, each work group shall
provide its report to the executive head of the state agency that
commissioned the report.
(e) The executive head of each state agency shall review the
findings in the report and may implement all or part of the
recommendations in the report.
(f) This section expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.