HBA-BSM H.B. 2772 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2772 By: Chavez State Affairs 3/21/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas Online is a web based portal currently used for conducting business transactions with the state. State and local governments can use the common electronic system of Texas Online to send documents to the public, receive applications for licenses and permits, and documents for filing, and to accept payments. A single website may make it easier for Texas citizens to contact their state agencies. However, the use of Texas Online is not mandatory for state agencies, and many agencies use their own websites. House Bill 2772 makes the use of Texas Online mandatory for all state agencies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2772 amends the Government Code to require all state agencies to use the common electronic system already established, known as Texas Online, or its successor, for all agency services and functions provided to the public through the Internet, including: _financial transactions; _applications for licenses, permits, registrations, and other related documents from the public; _electronic procurement; _electronic reporting; _digital signatures; and _any other service or function that the Department of Information Resources determines is appropriate. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.