Paperwork Reduction Act: Reauthorization Can Strengthen Government's Management of Information and Technology

GAO discussed draft legislation reauthorizing the Paperwork Reduction Act, focusing on the government's role in limiting the paperwork burden on individuals and businesses. GAO noted that: (1) most federal agencies have invested in costly information systems that have produced minimal operational improvements; (2) federal agencies still lack the essential information to manage programs, control costs, and measure results and fail to use technology to reengineer functional processes, increase productivity, and improve mission performance; (3) the proposed legislation would strengthen the accountability of agency program managers to define program information needs and develop strategies to meet those needs; (4) the proposed legislation makes certain changes in the paperwork clearance process, including shortening the amount of time the Office of Management and Budget has to review proposed rules; (5) the proposed legislation expands the current definition of paperwork burden to provide a more complete picture of the actual burden imposed on individuals and businesses; (6) some of the problems associated with paperwork burden may not be resolved until underlying legislative and implementation issues are addressed; and (7) the government should continue to minimize the impact of federal information needs on individuals and businesses and consider the resources and capabilities of those who have to respond to information collection requirements.