Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

__________________ S TATE
FFAIRS/AgenciesAgencies
TATE AFFAIRS
77 th Texas Legislature
in Texas. The council will coordinate food-for-health research programs and encourage agricultural
producers to use food-for-health research programs.
Management of Electronic Government - S.B. 1458
by Senators Duncan and Shapleigh
House Sponsor: Representative McCall
Currently, Texas is moving forward with electronic government (e-government) with no one organization
responsible for ensuring that e-government advances effectively and efficiently in an increasingly high-tech
world. S.B. 1458 establishes an electronic government program management office in the Department of
Information Resources to guide, promote, and facilitate the implementation of select e-government projects
and to manage the ongoing development of the TexasOnline portal.
Requires the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to create an Electronic Government Program
Management Office (office) to direct and facilitate the implementation of electronic government projects.
Lays out the general powers and duties of the office.
`
Requires the office, in coordination with the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) and the comptroller’s office, to
identify necessary resources and approve spending. Requires the office to create state agency
coordination teams to reduce information technology expenditures and eliminate unnecessary duplication.
`
Requires state agencies to cooperate with the DIR and the office regarding electronic projects.
`
Exempts institutions of higher education from participation, but provides that an institution of higher
education may elect to participate in the same manner as a state agency with approval of the office. Lists
other requirements for participation by an institution of higher education.
`
Requires the office, in coordination with the comptroller, Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning, state
auditor, and LBB, to develop a model for funding the office, including staff, from a portion of the money
appropriated for e-government projects.
`
Requires the office to use the West Texas Disaster Recovery and Operations Center for the consolidation
of data operations and recovery if it provides the best value to the state.
`
Requires the office, in coordination with the governor, state auditor, and LBB, to develop selection criteria
for projects that require direct oversight by the office. Lists the criteria for selection.
`
Provides other requirements for the office, including appeal of selection, use of TexasOnline, enterprise
resource planning, and online services for new businesses.
Creates the Legislative Oversight Committee for Electronic Government Projects and lists its membership.
Requires the governing board of DIR to create an Electronic Government Program Management Office
Advisory Committee to provide ongoing direction for the operation of the office. Sets out the membership
of the board.
Requires the office to review state agency plans and make periodic reports.
Prohibits a state agency from duplicating a component of TexasOnline unless the office approves.
Senate Research Center 261