The commission must create a technology policy, the department must post a link to legislative-tracking information on its website, and the commission may use rules to require email addresses and electronic delivery.
Sec. 51.207. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. (a) The commission shall develop and implement a policy requiring the executive director and department employees to research and propose appropriate technological solutions to improve the department's ability to perform its functions. The technological solutions must: (1) ensure that the public is able to easily find information about the department on the Internet; (2) ensure that persons who want to use the department's services are able to: (A) interact with the department through the Internet; and (B) access any service that can be provided effectively through the Internet; and (3) be cost-effective and developed through the department's planning processes. (b) The department shall provide on its Internet website a link to an Internet website that allows the public to track legislation affecting the programs administered by the department, which may be a website that provides legislative information administered by the Texas Legislature. (c) The commission by rule may require an applicant or license holder to provide an e-mail address to the department. An e-mail address used under this subsection is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code. (d) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission by rule may provide that any correspondence sent or received by the department be delivered electronically, including any notice, order, or pleading required under Chapter 2001, Government Code, this chapter, or a law establishing a regulatory program administered by the department. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 816, Sec. 1.015, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 452 (S.B. 845), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 613 (H.B. 3743), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 880 (S.B. 2443), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.