[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 439 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
                                H. R. 439


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 11, 1999

                                Received

                           February 22, 1999

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
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 technologies.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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 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 acquisition and use of 
        alternative information technologies that provide for 
        electronic submission, maintenance, or disclosure 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 information 
                technologies that provide for electronic submission, 
                maintenance, or disclosure of information as a 
                substitute for paper and for the use and acceptance of 
                electronic signatures, including the extent to which 
                such progress accomplishes reduction of burden on small 
                businesses or other persons.''.

SEC. 4. 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 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 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 submission, 
                        maintenance, 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 
                information technology, including alternative 
                information technologies, that provide for electronic 
                submission, maintenance, or disclosure of information, 
                to reduce burden and improve data quality, agency 
                efficiency, and responsiveness 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 
                                respondents may, if appropriate, 
                                electronically submit, maintain, or 
                                disclose 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 burden 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 instances 
                relating to the Internal Revenue Service.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 1999.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.