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Senator Judith Zaffirini: District 21
 
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2014
Contact: Will Krueger
(512) 463-0121
Government Organization Committee Assigned Charges Relating to Reporting Practices, Contracting and Information Security

(LAREDO) — The Senate Government Organization Committee will begin work immediately on a set of charges issued by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, committee Chair Senator Judith Zaffirini announced today.

"I am grateful to Lt. Gov. Dewhurst for assigning our committee these important and timely charges," Senator Zaffirini said. "They not only reflect the need to use technology to promote efficiency and transparency in state government, but also are well-aligned with our legislative goals of enhancing information security and improving state contracting practices."

The committee's charges include:

  • Examine state agencies' mandated reporting practices, the necessity and utility of these reports, and reporting processes to the legislature and to the public. Make recommendations on eliminating unnecessary and duplicative reports, reducing state costs through the use of technology, and improving transparency to the legislature and citizens.
  • Review and recommend improvements to state agency training, policies, and procedures for monitoring and reporting performance of state contracts, including a review of exemptions to state contracting oversight.
  • Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 1597 by Zaffirini, relating to the development of state agency information security plans to improve the security of agency information systems and to proactively protect the state against cybercrime and similar security threats.

"Texans can count on our committee to address these charges diligently and thoughtfully," Senator Zaffirini said. "When the next legislative session convenes on Jan. 13, 2015, we will be ready."

Other members of the committee include its Vice Chair, Senator Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown; and Senators Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury; Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Ken Paxton, R-McKinney; José Rodríguez, D-El Paso; and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood.

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SENATOR JUDITH ZAFFIRINI is Chair of the Senate Government Organization Committee. The committee will begin work immediately on charges assigned to it by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, including charges related to information security, state contracting and state agencies' reporting practices.

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