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105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 852
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 26, 1997
Mr. TALENT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Commit-
tee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in 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 1997’’.
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 mainte-
nance, 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 ‘‘Paper-
work 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 informa-
tion technology, including the use of alternative
information technologies, such as the use of
electronic submission, maintenance, or disclo-
sure of information to substitute for paper.’’.
(b) PROMOTION OF USE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMA-
TION TECHNOLOGY.—Section 3504(h) of title 44, United
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon 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 in-
formation 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, mainte-
nance, 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 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 for the optional use,
where appropriate, of electronic mainte-
nance, submission, or disclosure of infor-
mation; 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 mainte-
nance, submission, 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 alternative information technologies, in-
cluding the use of electronic maintenance, sub-
mission, or disclosure of information, to reduce
burden and improve data quality, agency effi-
ciency 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 re-
spondents may, if appropriate, elec-
tronically maintain, submit, or dis-
close 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 bur-
den 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 informa-
tion, 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 Serv-
ice.’’.
SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect October 1, 1998.
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