Cook Bill Expires Soon After Its Payroll Report Is Due

The text as introduced · 540 words

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.