(Austin)--An overview of the Texas regulatory system will be the focus of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander's e-Texas public hearing April 12 in Houston. The e-Texas regulatory reform task force hearing will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Greater Houston Partnership Boardroom, Suite 700, 1200 Smith St.

"Nearly every Texas state agency has some regulatory authority over Texas citizens and businesses," Comptroller Rylander said. "Government in the 21st Century must be smaller, smarter and faster. I believe what Texans want from government is less, not more: less mandates, less regulations and less taxation.

"This hearing will help us find ideas to improve the state's regulatory system. I encourage folks to come out, listen to our experts, and give us feedback on the issues they think are critical to improving the state's regulatory system."

Gerald Smith of Houston, the e-Texas regulatory reform task force commissioner, will lead discussions on new approaches to permitting and licensing, how the Internet can make these functions easier and faster, and how the state can reduce and streamline reporting and record-keeping.

Allan F. Bedwell of Knoxville, Tenn., vice president of sales and marketing for Goal Line Environ-mental Technologies, will be one of the hearing's panelists. He is a former deputy commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection who created the nation's first permitless regulatory system that eliminated permits for 25,000 Massachusetts companies. Edward A. Feith of Houston is also on the panel. He is environmental department manager for Reliant Energy Wholesale Group and responsible for environmental permitting, compliance reporting and environmental auditing.

The hearing is part of Comptroller Rylander's e-Texas citizen commission, which is charged with developing recommendations to help Texas state government meet the challenges of the Internet Age.

Those who cannot attend the hearing can make suggestions on improving Texas regulatory system at: www.e-texas.org.