H.B. No. 1500 seeks to improve the governance and operational efficiency of the Texas Department of Information Resources by introducing new sections to the Government Code, specifically Sections 656.0505 and 656.0506. These sections mandate the development of a voluntary certification course for procurement of information resources technologies, which will be available to individuals with specific purchasing and contract management certifications. The bill also outlines the composition of the department's governing board, increasing its membership to 11, with seven voting members appointed by the governor and four nonvoting members from various sectors. Additionally, the bill establishes a new subchapter under Chapter 783 to create an electronic advertising system for state assistance opportunities, overseen by the comptroller and the Department of Information Resources.

The bill further amends Section 2054.033 to allow the establishment of advisory committees within the department, ensuring they represent a diverse cross-section of customers, particularly from smaller state agencies. It introduces a procurement services pilot program to assist state agencies in acquiring information resources technologies and enhances the department's complaint handling processes. Other amendments focus on improving accessibility and cybersecurity measures, requiring state agencies to conduct regular assessments and penetration tests. The governance structure of the Department of Information Resources is updated, with new training requirements for board members and the repeal of outdated provisions. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and prioritizes its terms over any conflicting legislation from the 89th Legislature.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 2054.003, Government Code 61.003, Government Code 2054.021, Government Code 2054.024, Government Code 2054.033, Government Code 2054.035, Government Code 2054.036, Government Code 2054.055, Government Code 2054.075, Government Code 2054.097, Government Code 2054.2606, Government Code 2054.456, Government Code 2054.515, Government Code 2054.5191 (Government Code 61, Government Code 2054)
House Committee Report: Government Code 2054.003, Government Code 61.003, Government Code 2054.021, Government Code 2054.024, Government Code 2054.033, Government Code 2054.035, Government Code 2054.036, Government Code 2054.055, Government Code 2054.075, Government Code 2054.097, Government Code 2054.2606, Government Code 2054.456, Government Code 2054.515, Government Code 2054.5191 (Government Code 61, Government Code 2054)
Engrossed: Government Code 2054.003, Government Code 61.003, Government Code 2054.021, Government Code 2054.024, Government Code 2054.033, Government Code 2054.035, Government Code 2054.036, Government Code 2054.055, Government Code 2054.075, Government Code 2054.097, Government Code 2054.2606, Government Code 2054.456, Government Code 2054.515, Government Code 2054.5191 (Government Code 61, Government Code 2054)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 2155.083, Government Code 2054.003, Government Code 61.003, Government Code 2054.021, Government Code 2054.024, Government Code 2054.033, Government Code 2054.035, Government Code 2054.036, Government Code 2054.055, Government Code 2054.075, Government Code 2054.097, Government Code 2054.2606, Government Code 2054.376, Government Code 2054.456, Government Code 2054.515, Government Code 2054.5191, Government Code 2157.068, Government Code 2170.005, Government Code 2170.059 (Government Code 2155, Government Code 61, Government Code 2170, Government Code 2157, Government Code 2054)
Enrolled: Government Code 2155.083, Government Code 2054.003, Government Code 61.003, Government Code 2054.021, Government Code 2054.024, Government Code 2054.033, Government Code 2054.035, Government Code 2054.036, Government Code 2054.055, Government Code 2054.075, Government Code 2054.097, Government Code 2054.2606, Government Code 2054.376, Government Code 2054.456, Government Code 2054.515, Government Code 2054.5191, Government Code 2157.068, Government Code 2170.005, Government Code 2170.059 (Government Code 2155, Government Code 61, Government Code 2170, Government Code 2157, Government Code 2054)