HBA-SEP H.B. 3031 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3031
By: Pitts
State Affairs
3/21/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

When starting a new business, a person may encounter difficulties obtaining
permits or an operating license from the various state agencies that
regulate business activities.  Currently, the person must contact each
agency separately which can be a slow process that may discourage small
business owners.  House Bill 3031 creates an online service to serve the
start-up needs of new businesses. 

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 3031 amends the Government Code to require the Department of
Information Resources (department), with the cooperation of the secretary
of state, comptroller, Texas Department of Economic Development, Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission, and the Texas Department of Transportation, to develop and
operate an online service to serve the start-up needs of new businesses in
this state in a seamless manner.  The bill specifies the goals of the
online service and requires the department, to the extent possible, to
provide the online service through an existing Internet portal.  The bill
requires the department to report to the legislature its recommendations
relating to the online business service before January 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.