The White House has strong concerns about legislation passed by the House that would require federal agencies to allow businesses, individuals and others to file information requested by the federal government electronically.
The House passed the legislation, H.R. 439, late Tuesday afternoon 413-0. It is similar to measures passed by the House in the 104th and 105th Congresses, which died both times in the Senate. While the legislation does not mandate that information be filed electronically, it requires the Office of Management and Budget to direct federal agencies to provide businesses and others with the option of filing electronically when possible, and to promote the option's use. Supporters say the measure will help businesses by reducing the time and money they spend filling out paperwork.
"As we approach the 21st century, the technological advances that are now commonplace in the private sector should be an integral part of the way our federal agencies do business," said Rep. Bill Pascrell D-NJ.
But the administration has expressed concern that the bill will conflict with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998. That bill mainly requires the federal government to take steps to allow for the use of electronic signatures, but it also touches on the submission of information electronically when dealing with the federal government.
The administration said H.R. 439 may be seen as "superseding" the 1998 measure and encouraged lawmakers to instead give that law a chance to work, according to a statement of administration policy released by the OMB. "The administration has strong concerns that H.R. 439 could create confusion about procedures and deadlines, and set back the very progress it is intended to advance," the OMB statement said.
But Kristin Young, spokeswoman for bill sponsor Rep. James Talent, R-Mo., said the legislation is designed to compliment the measure enacted in 1998 and not supercede it. "We think most agencies can implement both," she said.
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