IB
104TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 2715
[Report No. 104–520, Part I]
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
DECEMBER 5, 1995
Mr. TORKILDSEN (for himself, Mrs. MEYERS of Kansas, Mr. TALENT, Mr.
MANZULLO, Mrs. SMITH of Washington, Mr. ZELIFF, Mr. EWING, Mr.
JONES, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr.
CHRYSLER, Mr. METCALF, and Mr. RAMSTAD) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a pe-
riod to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for con-
sideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the commit-
tee concerned
APRIL 16, 1996
Reported from the Committee on Small Business with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on December 5, 1995]
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 1996’’.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purpose of this Act is to—
(1) minimize the burden of Federal paperwork
demands upon small businesses, educational and non-
profit institutions, Federal contractors, State and
local governments, and other persons through the
sponsorship and use of alternative information tech-
nologies, 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 Re-
duction 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, Unit-
ed States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(vi) the acquisition and use of information
technology, including the use of alternative infor-
mation technologies, such as the use of electronic
submission, maintenance, or disclosure of infor-
mation 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 elec-
tronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of in-
formation where appropriate, as an alternative infor-
mation 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 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 informa-
tion; and’’.
(b) PROMOTION OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION MAN-
AGEMENT.—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 mainte-
nance, submission, or disclosure of informa-
tion.’’.
(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, includ-
ing the use of electronic maintenance, submis-
sion, or disclosure of information, to reduce bur-
den 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 semi-
colon 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 disclo-
sure of information to substitute for paper mainte-
nance, submission, or disclosure of information, in-
cluding—
‘‘(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.
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