The House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform has published their Interim Report to the 84th Legislature. See below for interim charges assigned to the committee and recommendations related to those charges:
Charge I – Examine current restrictions on state and local governmental entities relating to the construction of critical infrastructure, including transportation and water projects, and make recommendations for expediting and creating more cost-effective and efficient methods for the construction of such projects.
Recommendations:
- Remove the restrictions placed on design-build projects both dollar amounts as well as number of projects. Allow both TxDOT and local governments to utilize the best fit for their community and project.
- Examine TxDOT’s procurement and contracting process with the intent of eliminating steps and inefficiencies in the process. One potential solution is the committed financing aspect. Possible resolutions could be asking bidders to provide financing prior to bidding or use it in the criteria when evaluating proposals.
- Review the current process and restrictions when evaluating past performance of bidders. Best value should include not just specific methods, but allowing companies to use projects of similar size and scope. Look for opportunities to increase transparency and competition in the bidding process for critical infrastructure.
- Consider investments into innovations such as self-heating roads and self-healing roads.
Charge II – Study the current laws, rules, and processes in place for the Department of Information Resource’s Cooperative Contracts and recommend improvements to the 84th Legislature. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Technology)
Recommendations:
- DIR should continue to implement the State Auditor's Office suggestions to better monitor and meet the needs of its customers.
- Expand the customer base for Cooperative Contracts to include, among others, libraries, private K-12 schools, universities, hospitals, and quasi state agencies such as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Charge III – Examine the public's accessibility to government services and agencies through the use of mobile applications and online services. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Technology)
Recommendations:
- Agencies should establish criteria to assess both the need and demand for a mobile friendly version. They should develop criteria to determine which option would be best for their potential users.
- Agencies should continue to strive to provide better access to their services through mobile apps. Agencies should look to the Department of Information Resources for assistance as they make this move.
Charge IV – Study the feasibility of having all state agencies use the Texas Workforce Commission's "Work in Texas" website for a more standardized applications process. Determine the interest of municipal, county, and other jurisdictions in boosting their utilization of the website.
Recommendations:
- In order to increase use of the site for both employers and job seekers, TWC should continue to improve upon its marketing. It seems that many localities are not aware of the tools and access they might have through using the site. Additionally, TWC should look into providing more tools to employers, such as recruitment and job matching tools. As well as the ability for employers to generate user reports such as number of views.
Charge V – Study the benefits of utilizing a Chief Innovation Officer for Texas and its agencies.
Recommendations:
- The Committee recommends the creation of a Chief Innovation Officer on the State, agency level, or within the Sunset Commission.
- The Committee recommends the use of a process manager for the State’s agencies.
- Both positions should utilize best practices. This involves using market research methods for ideas and insights; strategic innovation; promoting open innovation; and introducing group tools and processes that encourage creative thinking.
- Adequate training for personnel on the skills they need, and developing and applying measures to track improvements in innovation and the skills supporting them. Training managers to support innovation, and helping people generate ideas.
Charge VI – Review the application of the Public Information Act regarding requests for large amounts of electronic data. Examine whether the procedures and deadlines imposed by the Act give governmental bodies enough time to identify and protect confidential information in such requests.
Recommendations:
- Consider allowing public entities to satisfy the requirements of the Act by directing appropriate requests to the entities website where the information could be regularly posted, and easily accessible.
- Consider adding “utility billing” information (i.e. new water customer lists) to the current list of exceptions identified in ORD No. 684. If the customer has marked their application as confidential, it would eliminate the need to request an Attorney General’s opinion.
- Add copyrighted material to the current list of exceptions identified in ORD No. 684, which would eliminate the need to request an Attorney General’s opinion. The Attorney General’s office currently denies the release of copyrighted materials, however, the Act allows for viewing and review of this material by requester.
Charge VII – Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:
- consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;
- identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;
- determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and
- identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Recommendations:
No Recommendations.
