Paperwork Elimination Act of 1996

Summary: Paperwork Elimination Act of 1996 - Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to:  (1) provide direction and oversee the use of information technology, including alternative information technologies to substitute for paper; (2) specifically promote the optional use of electronic information technology as such an alternative; and (3) provide within a required information resources strategic management plan a description of progress in providing for the use of electronic information as a substitute for paper. Requires each Federal agency to:  (1) ensure that each information collection provides for the optional use of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information; (2) use alternative information technologies to reduce burden and improve data quality, agency efficiency, and responsiveness to the public; and (3) publish a description of how respondents may electronically maintain the information to be collected. Requires the Director to report to the Congress on the extent to which Federal agencies reduced the collection of information burden on small businesses and other persons through the use of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information as a substitute for paper maintenance, submission, or disclosure.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Paperwork Elimination Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purpose of this Act is to--
            (1) minimize the burden of Federal paperwork demands upon 
        small businesses, educational and nonprofit institutions, 
        Federal contractors, State and local governments, and other 
        persons through the sponsorship and use of alternative 
        information technologies, including the use of electronic 
        maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information to 
        substitute for paper; and
            (2) more effectively enable Federal agencies to achieve the 
        purposes of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, 
        popularly known as the ``Paperwork Reduction Act''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF 
              MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

    (a) Direction and Oversight of Information Technology.--Section 
3504(a)(1)(B)(vi) of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read 
as follows:
                    ``(vi) the acquisition and use of information 
                technology, including the use of alternative 
                information technologies, such as the use of electronic 
                submission, maintenance, or disclosure of information 
                to substitute for paper.''.
    (b) Promotion of Use of Electronic Information Technology.--Section 
3504(h) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by striking ``and'' 
after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (4), by striking the period 
at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at 
the end the following:
            ``(6) specifically promote the optional use of electronic 
        maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information where 
        appropriate, as an alternative information technology to 
        substitute for paper.''.

SEC. 4. ASSIGNMENT OF TASKS AND DEADLINES.

    Section 3505(a)(3) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (B), by 
striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting ``; 
and'', and by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) a description of progress in providing for 
                the use of electronic submission, maintenance, or 
                disclosure of information to substitute for paper, 
                including the extent to which such progress 
                accomplishes reduction of burden on small businesses or 
                other persons.''.

SEC. 5. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) Providing for Use of Electronic Information Management.--
Section 3506(c)(1)(B) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of clause (ii) and by 
adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) provides for the optional use, where 
                        appropriate, of electronic maintenance, 
                        submission, or disclosure of information; 
                        and''.
    (b) Promotion of Electronic Information Management.--Section 
3506(c)(3)(C) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``or'' after the semicolon at the end of clause (ii), by adding ``or'' 
after the semicolon at the end of clause (iii), and by adding at the 
end the following:
                            ``(iv) the promotion and optional use, 
                        where appropriate, of electronic maintenance, 
                        submission, or disclosure of information.''.
    (c) Use of Alternative Information Technologies.--Section 
3506(c)(3)(J) of title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:
                    ``(J) to the maximum extent practicable, uses 
                alternative information technologies, including the use 
                of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of 
                information, to reduce burden and improve data quality, 
                agency efficiency and responsiveness to the public.''.

SEC. 6. PUBLIC INFORMATION COLLECTION ACTIVITIES; SUBMISSION TO 
              DIRECTOR; APPROVAL AND DELEGATION.

    Section 3507(a)(1)(D)(ii) of title 44, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of subclause 
(V), by adding ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of subclause 
(VI), and by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(VII) a description of how 
                                respondents may, if appropriate, 
                                electronically maintain, submit, or 
                                disclose information under the 
                                collection of information.''.

SEC. 7. RESPONSIVENESS TO CONGRESS.

    Section 3514(a)(2) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (C), by 
striking the period at the end of subparagraph (D) and inserting ``; 
and'', and by adding at the end the following:
            ``(E) reduced the collection of information burden on small 
        businesses and other persons through the use of electronic 
        maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information to 
        substitute for paper maintenance, submission, or disclosure of 
        information, including--
                    ``(i) a description of instances where such 
                substitution has added to burden; and
                    ``(ii) specific identification of such instances 
                relating to the Internal Revenue Service.''.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect October 1, 1997.

            Passed the House of Representatives April 24, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.