I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 541
To amend chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known
as the Paperwork Reduction Act, to 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 tech-
nologies.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 8, 2001
Mrs. KELLY (for herself, and Mr. SWEENEY) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in ad-
dition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, popu-
larly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act, to mini-
mize 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 alter-
native information technologies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Paperwork Elimination
Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. PROMOTION OF USE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMA-
TION 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 para-
graph (5) and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and by adding at the
end the following:
‘‘(6) specifically promote the acquisition and
use of alternative information technologies that pro-
vide for electronic submission, maintenance, or dis-
closure of information as a substitute for paper and
for the use and acceptance of electronic signatures.’’.
SEC. 3. 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 acquisition and use of alternative infor-
mation technologies that provide for electronic
submission, maintenance, or disclosure of infor-
mation as a substitute for paper and for the use
and acceptance of electronic signatures, includ-
ing the extent to which such progress accom-
plishes reduction of burden on small businesses
or other persons.’’.
SEC. 4. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) PROVIDING FOR USE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMA-
TION 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 to persons required to
submit information the option to use,
where appropriate, electronic submission,
maintenance, 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 semi-
colon 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 submis-
sion, maintenance, or disclosure of infor-
mation.’’.
(c) USE
OF ALTERNATIVE INFORMATION TECH-
NOLOGIES.—Section 3506(c)(3)(J) of title 44, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(J) to the maximum extent practicable,
uses information technology, including alter-
native information technologies, that provide for
electronic submission, maintenance, or disclo-
sure of information, to reduce burden and im-
prove data quality, agency efficiency, and re-
sponsiveness to the public.’’.
SEC. 5. 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 re-
spondents may, if appropriate, elec-
tronically submit, maintain, or dis-
close information under the collection
of information.’’.
SEC. 6. 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 bur-
den on small businesses and other persons through
the use of electronic submission, maintenance, or
disclosure of information as a substitute for the use
of paper, including—
‘‘(i) a description of instances where such
substitution has added to burden; and
‘‘(ii) specific identification of such in-
stances relating to the Internal Revenue
Service.’’.
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