89R8845 LRM-F
By: Cook H.B. No. 4822
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a comprehensive review of the centralized accounting
and payroll system by the Department of Information Resources.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Department" means the Department of Information
Resources.
(2) "System" means the centralized accounting and
payroll system developed under Sections 2101.031, 2101.035, and
2101.036, Government Code.
SECTION 2. COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM REVIEW. (a) The
department shall conduct a comprehensive review of the system to
assess:
(1) system effectiveness in:
(A) satisfying state agencies' financial and
personnel management needs, including payroll;
(B) maintaining data security;
(C) maintaining compliance with state and
federal regulations; and
(D) ensuring transparency in financial
reporting;
(2) any financial benefits to this state resulting
from the system's implementation and operation, including cost
savings and increased efficiencies;
(3) any potential financial risks to this state in
operating the system; and
(4) system impact on state agency operational
efficiency, including:
(A) integration with other technology systems;
(B) ease of use;
(C) personnel training requirements; and
(D) personnel efficiency.
(b) The department shall evaluate the system to determine
whether the system operates within the strategic goals of this
state's digital services strategy, including the system's
compatibility with continuing legacy modernization initiatives.
(c) In conducting the review, the department shall consider
comments from interested persons, including state agency
representatives, external auditors, and other experts.
SECTION 3. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) Not later than
September 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and each standing committee of the senate and
house of representatives with oversight jurisdiction over state
information technology.
(b) The report required under Subsection (a) of this section
must include:
(1) the results of the comprehensive review conducted
under Section 2 of this Act, including an analysis of the system's
performance and the financial benefits for and operational impacts
on state agencies;
(2) any recommendations to improve the system,
including proposed enhancements to system functionality, changes
to operational processes, and any potential cost-saving measures;
(3) a timeline for implementing any recommended system
improvements, including estimated costs and resource requirements;
and
(4) specific recommendations for legislative or
administrative actions to address any department-identified
opportunities for improvement of the system or reduction of system
costs.
SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The
department shall collaborate with the Legislative Budget Board, the
comptroller, and any other relevant state agencies to implement any
administrative recommendations arising from the report required
under Section 3 of this Act.
(b) The department shall ensure that any system
improvements identified in the report required under Section 3 of
this Act are prioritized and executed in alignment with this
state's digital transformation goals, as detailed in the 2022-2026
State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management.
SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1,
2027.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.