[House Report 105-7]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
105th Congress Rept. 105-7
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session Part 1
_______________________________________________________________________
PAPERWORK ELIMINATION ACT OF 1997
_______
March 6, 1997.--Ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
Mr. Talent, from the Committee on Small Business, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 852]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Small Business, to whom was referred the
bill (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
technologies, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.
Purpose
The purpose of the ``Paperwork Elimination Act of 1997'' is
to minimize the burdens of Federal paperwork demands upon small
businesses, educational and nonprofit institutions, Federal
contractors, State and local governments, and other persons
through the use of alternative information technologies,
including the use of electronic maintenance, submission, or
disclosure of information to substitute for paper, or to more
effectively enable federal agencies to achieve the purposes
expressed in Chapter 35, Title 44, otherwise known as the
``Paperwork Reduction Act.''
Summary
In brief, the Paperwork Elimination Act is intended to do
the following:
A. Direct Federal agencies to provide the option of
electronic submission of information, electronic
compliance with regulatory information needs, and
electronic disclosure of information to all who respond
to federal information demands.
Section 2 stresses the intention of this legislation
to advance the use of alternative information
technologies and, in doing so, decrease the level of
paperwork demands by the Federal government. The
intended beneficiaries of this legislation are small
businesses, educational and nonprofit institutions,
Federal contractors, State and local governments, and
others. Small businesses, who face a disproportionate
burden in complying with federal regulations, are
particularily targeted.
B. Direct the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) to oversee the implementation of
providing for the optional use of electronic
submission, maintenance, and disclosure. The Director
is to monitor and report to Congress on the progress of
Federal agencies and how regulatory burdens on small
businesses and others have been reduced as a result of
using new information technologies.
Section 3(a) describes the responsibilities of the
Director of OMB to oversee the acquisition and use of
information technology. This section compels the
Director to consider alternative information
technologies when working with agencies to develop
strategies for reducing paperwork burdens.
Section 3(b) directs the Director of OMB to promote
the use of electronic submission, maintenance, and
disclosure as a option for entities complying with the
regulations of Federal agencies. The provision
compliments and is added to Sec. 3504(h) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, which outlines the Director's
obligations to advance the use of information
technology.
C. Clarify and strengthen provisions within current
law requiring agencies to utilize ``information
technology'' by specifying that small business and
other public persons with access to computers and
modems should be enabled to use them when dealing with
the Federal government.
Section 5(a) requires Federal agencies, when
appropriate, to provide respondents with the option of
maintaining, submitting, or disclosing information
electronically when complying with Federal regulations.
Section 5(b) states that each agency must certify and
report on the extent to which it has considered and
relieved the burden of paperwork, particularly on small
business and individuals, by enabling the optional use
of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of
information.
Section 5(c) amends Sec. 3506(c)(3)(J) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act to specify that, when
certifying and reporting on information technologies
used to collect information, Federal agencies must also
consider the ability of respondents to electronically
maintain, submit, and disclose information.
Need for Legislation
As part of continuing efforts to enable the Federal
government to take advantage of the Information Age,
the Committee recognized the need to encourage and
monitor the progress of Federal agencies in their
effort to utilize new ``information technology'' to
reduce the public cost of meeting the Federal
government's information needs. Moreover, a specific
need is to allow those small businesses, taxpayers, and
others with access to computers and modems to use them
when dealing with the Federal government.
Witnesses before the Small Business Committee have
estimated that the American public expends an amount of
time and effort equal to 510 billion dollars, or some 9
percent of the Gross Domestic Product of 1992, in order
to meet the Federal government's information needs.
Small business bears a disproportionate share of that
cost.
The Federal Government is lagging behind the rest of
the nation in using new technology. Individuals can now
send and receive mail, accomplish their personal
banking transactions, and even read a newspaper from a
personal computer or phone. Individuals should be able
to conduct much of their business with the government
electronically as well. Legislation is needed to seize
the opportunity which the Information Age and new
information technologies present to reduce the huge
cumulative burden of meeting the Federal government's
information demands.
Clearly, the need exists to promote and monitor
efforts to minimize the burdens of Federal paperwork
demands upon small businesses, educational and
nonprofit institutions, Federal contractors, state and
local governments, and other persons through the use of
alternative information technologies, including the use
of electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of
information to substitute for paper. Congressional
oversight activities will be enhanced by requiring
reporting on the progress of agencies and how
regulatory burdens have been reduced.
During the 104th Congress, the Government Programs
Subcommittee held hearings inwhich a number of
witnesses stressed the need for this legislation. Witnesses went into
great detail regarding the potential for significant cost savings
through the implementation of information management systems which
allow small business and the public to use electronic technology.
These savings would be complemented by increased
productivity in the workplace due to the reduction in time
spent on paperwork submission and update. Mr. Marvin Beriss of
MB Associates, Inc., an expert in database information
technology, stated that the intelligent electronic form saves
time by automatically populating fields on the same form that
require the same information, such as the name, social security
number, etc. Additionally, if such forms are used as part of a
Form Set comprised of multiple forms, the common information
can be automatically integrated onto all the forms in the set.
This technology has the potential to save significant time
spent filling in forms while concurrently insuring consistency
and efficiency.
The ``Paperwork Elimination Act'' amends Chapter 35, Title
44, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, by requiring all
Federal agencies to provide the option of electronic submission
of information, electronic compliance with regulations, and
electronic disclosure of information to all who must comply
with Federal regulations. Furthermore, Federal agencies would
be prohibited from collecting information until they have first
published a notice in the Federal Register detailing how the
information may be maintained, submitted or disclosed
electronically. The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget would be required to oversee the implementation of
electronic submission, compliance, and disclosure and to
monitor and report on the progress of Federal agencies and how
regulatory burdens on small businesses have been reduced.
The Paperwork Elimination Act amends and complements the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which has resulted in reduced
regulatory burdens. The Paperwork Elimination Act strengthens
the generic statute. It clarifies provisions within the law
requiring agencies to consider and utilize information
technology by specifying that those small businesses and public
persons with access to computers and modems should have the
option to use them when dealing with the Federal government.
The Paperwork Elimination Act emphasizes that opportunities
for the public to use electronic technologies for data
submission should be optional. The Act will in no way hinder
the ability of small businesses and individuals without access
to computers and modems to comply with Federal paperwork
requirements. The Act merely requires Federal agencies to
consider and provide the option to those who wish and are able
to use the technology.
Committee Action
During the 104th Congress, H.R. 2715, the ``Paperwork
Elimination Act,'' was introduced on December 5, 1995, by
Government Programs Subcommittee Chairman Peter G. Torkildsen,
for himself, Congresswomen Meyers and Smith, Congressmen
Talent, Manzullo, Zeliff, Ewing, Jones, LoBiondo, Bartlett,
Meehan, Chrysler, Metcalf, and Ramstad.
After introduction, the bill was referred to both the
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and the Committee
on Small Business. On March 27, 1996, Chairman Torkildsen held
a hearing on H.R. 2715 to consider all of the bill's
provisions.
Witnesses at the March 27, 1996, hearing included: The
Honorable Sally Katzen, Administrator, Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget;
The Honorable Jere Glover, Chief Counsel, Office of Advocacy,
U.S. Small Business Administration; Ms. Monika Harrison,
Associate Administrator, Office of Business Initiatives, U.S.
Small Business Administration; Mr. Pedro Alfonso, President,
Dynamic Concepts, Inc., testifying on behalf of National Small
Business United; Mr. Marvin Beriss, President, MB Associates,
Inc.; and Melvin Gerald, M.D., testifying on behalf of the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
At the hearing, OIRA Administrator Katzen testified, ``As
we read this bill, it makes it very clear Congress' expectation
that agencies are to do everything they can to provide
opportunities for, and indeed promote the use of, electronic
maintenance, submission, or disclosure of information.''
She further stated that ``* * * in signing the 1995
Paperwork Reduction Act, President Clinton specifically
recognized the concerns now recognized in H.R. 2715; `* * *
from this point forward, I want all of our agencies to provide
for the electronic submission of every new government form or
to demonstrate to OMB why it cannot be done that way. The old
way will still be available, but I think once people see how
fast and efficient electronic filing can be, we'll see less
paperwork and more of these.' ''
Administrator Katzen proceeded to testify to the
regulations issued by OMB on August 29, 1995, implementing the
1995 PRA. As part of those regulations, OMB explicitly included
provisions directed at this Congressional and Presidential
interest in having agencies expand the opportunities for the
public to submit information electronically. Ms. Katzen
suggested an amendment to Section 5(a) of the bill which was
later adopted by the Committee and added to the bill.
Another witness, Chief Counsel for Advocacy Jere Glover,
testified ``it is clear that the innovations can lead to
significant cost savings by eliminating paper copies and the
need for expensive file storage. To the extent that the current
legislative proposal, H.R. 2715, clarifies Congressional intent
behind the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, by requiring
agencies to permit the `optional' electronic filing of reports,
the Office of Advocacy believes it can benefit small business--
at least those with electronic capability.''
Small business witnesses testified favorably on the cost
and time savings that would result from the implementation of
this legislation.
A preliminary estimate from the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) reported that ``H.R. 2715 would not significantly
increase costs to the Federal government.'' CBO went on to say
that the technology already existed to allow Federal agencies
to comply with the Act and that the administrative cost of
directing and overseeing the initiative would not be
significant. Also, as confirmed by CBO, the bill contained no
mandates, as defined in Public Law 104-4.
After taking into consideration the testimony of the
witnesses at the March 27, 1996 hearing and the comments from
the Congressional Budget Office on H.R. 2715, the Committee on
Small Business held a mark-up of H.R. 2715 on March 29, 1996.
By voice vote, with a requisite quorum of the Committee members
present, the full Committee voted to report H.R. 2715, as
amended, favorably to the full House.
After reviewing the legislation and a detailed legislative
history created by the Small Business Committee, including the
CBO findings, Chairman Clinger, on behalf of the Committee on
Government Reform and Oversight, waived that Committee's
jurisdiction over this legislation.
On April 24, 1996, H.R. 2715, as reported, was considered
on the House floor under an open rule. The legislation passed
the House by a vote of 418 to 0. The legislation was
subsequently discharged from the Senate Committee on
Governmental Affairs and sent to the desk for action.
Unfortunately, the Senate ran out of time at the end of the
session before it could act on this measure.
H.R. 852, the ``Paperwork Elimination Act of 1997,'' was
introduced on February 26, 1997 by Committee on Small Business
Chairman James M. Talent. After introduction, the bill was
referred to both the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight and the Committee on Small Business.
A preliminary estimate from the CBO states that H.R. 852
will not significantly increase costs to the Federal
government. The CBO also states that the technology already
exists to allow Federal agencies to comply with the Act and
that the administrative costs would not be significant. The CBO
also confirmed that H.R. 852 contains no mandates, as defined
in Public Law 104-4.
In light of the fact that H.R. 852 is virtually identical
to H.R. 2715, and after taking into account the extensive
legislative history of H.R. 2715 from the 104th Congress, the
Chairman of the Committee on Small Business, in consultation
with the Committee's Ranking Minority Member, decided to move
forward with the Committee's consideration of H.R. 852 without
any further hearings.
On March 6, 1997, the Committee on Small Business held a
mark-up of H.R. 852. By voice vote, with a requisite quorum of
the Committee members present, the full Committee voted to
report H.R. 852 favorably to the full House.
After reviewing the legislation and the accompanying CBO
findings with the Chairman of the National Economic Growth,
Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee,
Chairman Burton, on behalf of the Committee on Government
Reform and Oversight, stated that the waiver of jurisdiction
with respect to H.R. 852 would not limit the jurisdiction of
theGovernment Reform and Oversight Committee on any future
consideration of Federal paperwork reduction legislation.
Section-by-Section Analysis
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This legislation is entitled the ``Paperwork Elimination
Act of 1997.''
SECTION 2. PURPOSES
Section 2 stresses the intention of this legislation to
advance the use of alternative information technologies and, in
so doing, decrease paperwork demands by the Federal government.
The intended beneficiaries of this legislation are small
businesses, educational and nonprofit institutions, Federal
contractors, state and local governments, and others. Of
particular importance are the small businesses who face a
disproportionate burden in complying with Federal regulations.
Alternative technologies suggested to substitute for paper
include electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of
information. The Paperwork Elimination Act of 1997 intends to
assist Federal agencies in fulfilling the purposes and goals of
the Paperwork Reduction Act.
SECTION 3. AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
Subsection (a)
The authority and responsibility of the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ``provide direction
and oversee the acquisition and use of information technology''
is described. This subsection compels the Director to consider
alternative information technologies when developing a strategy
to reduce paperwork.
Subsection (b)
The Director of OMB is required to promote the use of
electronic submission, maintenance, and disclosure as an option
for entities complying with the regulatory information needs of
Federal agencies. The provision is added to Sec. 3504(h) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 35) which outlines the
Director's obligations to advance the use of information
technology.
SECTION 4. ASSIGNMENT OF TASKS AND DEADLINES
Sec. 3505(a)(3) of the Paperwork Reduction Act requires the
Director of OMB, in consultation with the General Services
Administration (GSA), National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to develop
and maintain a governmentwide strategic plan for information
resources management. The Paperwork Elimination Act amends this
section by inserting the requirement to include in this plan a
progress report on the extent to which the paperwork burden on
small businesses and individuals has been relieved as a result
of the use of electronic submission, maintenance, or disclosure
of information to substitute for paper.
SECTION 5. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
Subsection (a)
Federal agencies are required, when it is appropriate, to
provide respondents with the option of maintaining, submitting,
or disclosing information electronically when complying with
Federal regulations.
Subsection (b)
Each Federal agency must certify and report to the Director
of OMB on the extent to which it has relieved the burden of
paperwork, particularly on small businesses and individuals, by
allowing the maintenance, submission, and disclosure of
information electronically.
Subsection (c)
Sec. 3506(c)(3)(J) of the Paperwork Reduction Act is
amended to specify that, when certifying and reporting on
alternative technologies used to collect information, Federal
agencies must also consider the ability of respondents to
electronically maintain, submit and disclose information. The
subsection's intent is to reduce burden, improve data quality,
and make agencies more efficient and responsive.
SECTION 6. PUBLIC INFORMATION COLLECTION ACTIVITIES; SUBMISSION TO
DIRECTOR; APPROVAL AND DELEGATION
Section 6 prohibits agencies from collecting information
until they have first published a notice in the Federal
Register describing how the information may, if appropriate, be
electronically maintained, submitted, or disclosed by a
respondent.
SECTION 7. RESPONSE TO CONGRESS
When responding to Congress annually or at other times, the
Director of OMB must report on how the collection of
information by electronic means has affected regulatory burdens
on small businesses and other persons. This report must
specifically include any instance in which the maintenance,
submission, or disclosure of information electronically, as
opposed to with paper, increased the regulatory burden on small
business. It should also specifically identify instances
referring to the information required from small businesses by
the Internal Revenue Service [IRS].
SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE
The provisions of this bill shall take effect on October 1,
1998.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, March 6, 1997.
Hon. James M. Talent,
Chairman, Committee on Small Business,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 852, the Paperwork
Elimination Act of 1997.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is John R.
Righter.
Sincerely,
James L. Blum
(For June E. O'Neill, Director).
Enclosure.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
CBO estimates that enacting this bill would not
significantly increase costs to the federal government. Because
the bill would not affect direct spending or receipts, pay-as-
you-go procedures would not apply. H.R. 852 contains no
intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 and would not have a
significant impact on state, local, or tribal governments.
H.R. 852 would build on the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995. Specifically, the bill would encourage federal agencies
to use electronic information technologies to reduce the burden
on individuals and businesses that disclose information to or
contract with the federal government. In addition, the bill
would designate the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as
the agency responsible for promoting and monitoring the use of
these technologies.
The bill, however, would not require agencies to acquire
and implement new information technologies, and the authority
to use these technologies already exists. Consequently, we
estimate that H.R. 852 would not significantly increase costs
to the federal government. Implementing H.R. 852 would increase
administrative costs at OMB to direct and oversee government-
wide activities involving the use of alternative information
technologies; we estimate that such additional costs would not
be significant.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is John R. Righter.
This estimate was approved by Paul N. Van de Water, Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight,
Washington, DC, March 6, 1997.
Hon. James Talent,
Chairman, Committee on Small Business,
Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter responds to your request
that the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight waive its
primary jurisdiction over H.R. 852, the Paperwork Elimination
Act of 1997, as introduced on February 26, 1997. After
reviewing this legislation, I have agreed to waive the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight over this legislation.
H.R. 852 would build on the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, which was signed into law on May 22, 1995 (Public Law
104-13). Specifically, the bill would encourage the use of
electronic information technology by federal agencies as a way
of reducing the burden on individuals and businesses that
disclose information to or contract with the federal
government. In addition, the bill would designate the Office of
Management and Budget as the agency responsible for promoting
and monitoring the use of these technologies.
As you know, House Rule X, Establishment and Jurisdiction
of Standing Committees, grants the Government Reform and
Oversight Committee with jurisdiction over ``Federal paperwork
reduction.'' The waiver of H.R. 852 is not designed to limit
our jurisdiction over any future consideration of Federal
paperwork reduction legislation.
Thank you for your dedication and hard work on this issue.
I look forward to working with you on this and other issues
throughout the 105th Congress.
Sincerely,
Dan Burton,
Chairman.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 2(l)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for
this legislation in Article I, section 8, clause 18, of the
Constitution.
Oversight Findings
In accordance with clause 2(l)(3)(D) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee states
that no oversight findings or recommendations have been made by
the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight with respect
to the subject matter contained in H.R. 852.
In accordance with clause (2)(l)(3)(A) of rule XI and
clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the oversight findings and recommendations of
the Committee on Small Business with respect to the subject
matter contained in H.R. 852 are incorporated into the
descriptive portions of this report.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the
bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed
to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is
printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed
is shown in roman):
TITLE 44, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 35--COORDINATION OF FEDERAL INFORMATION POLICY
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3504. Authority and functions of Director
(a)(1) The Director shall oversee the use of information
resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
governmental operations to serve agency missions, including
burden reduction and service delivery to the public. In
performing such oversight, the Director shall--
(A) develop, coordinate and oversee the
implementation of Federal information resources
management policies, principles, standards, and
guidelines; and
(B) provide direction and oversee--
(i) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(vi) the acquisition and use of information
technology.]
(vi) the acquisition and use of information
technology, including the use of alternative
information technologies, such as the use of
electronic submission, maintenance, or
disclosure of information to substitute for
paper.
* * * * * * *
(h) With respect to Federal information technology, the
Director shall--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) ensure, through the review of agency budget
proposals, information resources management plans and
other means--
(A) agency integration of information
resources management plans, program plans and
budgets for acquisition and use of information
technology; and
(B) the efficiency and effectiveness of
inter-agency information technology initiatives
to improve agency performance and the
accomplishment of agency missions; [and]
(5) promote the use of information technology by the
Federal Government to improve the productivity,
efficiency, and effectiveness of Federal programs,
including through dissemination of public information
and the reduction of information collection burdens on
the public[.]; and
(6) specifically promote the optional use of
electronic maintenance, submission, or disclosure of
information where appropriate, as an alternative
information technology to substitute for paper.
Sec. 3505. Assignment of tasks and deadlines
(a) In carrying out the functions under this chapter, the
Director shall--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(3) in consultation with the Administrator of General
Services, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Archivist of the United
States, and the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, develop and maintain a Governmentwide
strategic plan for information resources management,
that shall include--
(A) * * *
(B) plans for--
(i) reducing information burdens on
the public, including reducing such
burdens through the elimination of
duplication and meeting shared data
needs with shared resources;
(ii) enhancing public access to and
dissemination of, information, using
electronic and other formats; and
(iii) meeting the information
technology needs of the Federal
Government in accordance with the
purposes of this chapter; [and]
(C) a description of progress in applying
information resources management to improve
agency performance and the accomplishment of
missions[.]; and
(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. 3506. Federal agency responsibilities
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c) With respect to the collection of information and the
control of paperwork, each agency shall--
(1) establish a process within the office headed by
the Chief Information Officer designated under
subsection (a), that is sufficiently independent of
program responsibility to evaluate fairly whether
proposed collections of information should be approved
under this chapter, to--
(A) * * *
(B) ensure that each information collection--
(i) is inventoried, displays a
control number and, if appropriate, an
expiration date;
(ii) indicates the collection is in
accordance with the clearance
requirements of section 3507; [and]
* * * * * * *
(iv) provides for the optional use,
where appropriate, of electronic
maintenance, submission, or disclosure
of information; and
* * * * * * *
(3) certify (and provide a record supporting such
certification, including public comments received by
the agency) that each collection of information
submitted to the Director for review under section
3507--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(C) reduces to the extent practicable and
appropriate the burden on persons who shall
provide information to or for the agency,
including with respect to small entities, as
defined under section 601(6) of title 5, the
use of such techniques as--
(i) establishing differing compliance
or reporting requirements or timetables
that take into account the resources
available to those who are to respond;
(ii) the clarification,
consolidation, or simplification of
compliance and reporting requirements;
[or]
(iii) an exemption from coverage of
the collection of information, or any
part thereof; or
(iv) the promotion and optional use,
where appropriate, of electronic
maintenance, submission, or disclosure
of information.
* * * * * * *
[(J) to the maximum extent practicable, uses
information technology to reduce burden and
improve data quality, agency efficiency and
responsiveness to the public.]
(J) to the maximum extent practicable, uses
alternative information technologies, including
the use of electronic maintenance, submission,
or disclosure of information, to reduce burden
and improve data quality, agency efficiency and
responsiveness to the public.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3507. Public information collection activities; submission to
Director; approval and delegation
(a) An agency shall not conduct or sponsor the collection of
information unless in advance of the adoption or revision of
the collection of information--
(1) the agency has--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(D) published a notice in the Federal
Register--
(i) stating that the agency has made
such submission; and
(ii) setting forth--
(I) * * *
* * * * * * *
(V) an estimate of the burden
that shall result from the
collection of information;
[and]
(VI) notice that comments may
be submitted to the agency and
Director; and
(VII) a description of how
respondents may, if
appropriate, electronically
maintain, submit, or disclose
information under the
collection of information.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3514. Responsiveness to Congress
(a)(1) * * *
(2) The Director shall include in any such report a
description of the extent to which agencies have--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(C) improved public access to Government information;
[and]
(D) improved program performance and the
accomplishment of agency missions through information
resources management[.]; and
(E) reduced the collection of information burden 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 information, 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.
* * * * * * *