| COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE
While C.S.H.B. 5195 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill. While both the introduced and the substitute require each state agency to assess the agency's website and online service portals to identify areas for improvement in user accessibility, navigation, and digital service efficiency, the introduced required an agency to implement updates to accomplish certain actions, while the substitute requires a state agency to consider certain factors in performing the required assessment. Those actions and factors differ as follows: ·whereas the introduced included the action of simplifying the process for users to access forms, applications, and agency services, the substitute includes strategies to simplify user access to forms, applications, and agency services as a factor for the agency to consider; ·whereas the introduced included the action of removing unnecessary paperwork requirements where digital alternatives exist, the substitute includes opportunities to reduce or eliminate paperwork requirements if electronic alternatives exist as a factor for the agency to consider; ·whereas the introduced included the action of ensuring compliance with accessibility standards under statutory provisions relating to exceptions for state agencies for significant difficulty or expense in complying with standards, the substitute includes enhancements to ensure compliance with accessibility standards under statutory provisions relating to access to electronic and information resources by individuals with disabilities as a factor for the agency to consider; ·whereas the introduced included the action of improving website responsiveness for mobile and desktop users, the substitute includes using responsive web design to ensure the agency's website is equally accessible using a desktop computer, laptop computer, or mobile device, including a tablet or cellular telephone, as a factor for the agency to consider; and ·the substitute includes using DIR's web page templates and web design guidelines to provide consistency among state agency websites and improve the website's usability as a factor for the agency to consider, whereas the introduced did not include such an action. The substitute omits the following provisions present in the introduced: ·the requirement for DIR to develop statewide guidance for agencies to standardize modernization efforts and ensure inter-agency consistency; ·provisions requiring a state agency to review its existing forms, applications, and public filing requirements to identify paperwork requirements that can be eliminated or replaced with digital submissions, processes that can be automated to reduce manual data entry by users, and alternative means to verify information without requiring duplicative documentation from the user; ·the requirement for each agency to submit a report to the Legislative Budget Board and the governor's office by December 1 of each even-numbered year detailing the steps taken to modernize agency processes and reduce paperwork; ·the requirement for the State Auditor's Office to review agency compliance with modernization requirements as part of routine audits; and ·provisions requiring each agency to complete an internal assessment of its website and digital service offerings and to submit a modernization plan to DIR not later than September 1, 2026. While both the introduced and the substitute establish provisions relating to interagency guidance and support, those provisions differ as follows: ·whereas the introduced required DIR to provide technical assistance to agencies to implement website improvements and digital service upgrades, the substitute requires DIR to provide guidance and technical assistance for use by state agencies in standardizing agency modernization planning efforts required under the bill's provisions; ·whereas the introduced required DIR to establish guidelines for user-centered design that prioritize ease of navigation, multilingual access, and mobile-friendly design, the substitute requires DIR to develop and disseminate best practices for user-centered design, digital accessibility, and service integration, including web page templates and web design guidelines that provide a consistent look for state agency websites and simplify user navigation; and ·whereas the introduced required DIR to coordinate a working group of agency technology officers to share best practices and address modernization challenges, the substitute authorizes DIR to establish such a working group to facilitate information sharing and support consistency across agencies. While both the introduced and the substitute include provisions requiring DIR to submit a report to the legislature detailing the status of the digital modernization efforts, the provisions differ as follows: ·whereas the introduced required the report to be submitted by March 1, 2027, the substitute requires the report to be submitted not later than November 15, 2026; ·the substitute includes in the elements included in the report common priorities and challenges in the modernization efforts, whereas such language was absent from the introduced; and ·the substitute includes a provision absent from the introduced establishing that the bill's provisions regarding legislative reporting expire January 1, 2027. The substitute includes a definition of "user-centered design" absent from the introduced. | 