SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5009

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 9, 2011

Title: An act relating to the authority of the department of information services to provide services to public agencies.

Brief Description: Regarding the department of information services' authority to provide services to public agencies.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama and Shin; by request of Department of Information Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Economic Development, Trade & Innovation: 1/13/11.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE & INNOVATION

Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background: The Department of Information Services (Department) is headed by a director appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. A 15-member Information Services Board (Board) assigns duties and responsibilities to the Department, including review of the state's information technology portfolios and implementation of statewide interagency policies, standards, and guidelines.  The Board also has the authority to adopt administrative rules.

The Department has statutory duties, among which is to make available information services to state agencies, local governments, and public benefit nonprofit corporations on a full cost-recovery basis. 

The Board has duties that are executed in consultation with both the Department and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) including the development of an enterprise-based strategy for information technology in state government. The rate plan established by the Department is reviewed at least annually by OFM.   The components of the rate structure must be mutually determined by the Department and OFM.  The same rate structure applies to all user agencies of each cost center.

Summary of Bill: The Department's statutory duty to provide information services to state agencies is expanded to include agencies and local governments of other states.  The new term, public agencies, replaces the terms state agencies and local governments for purposes of this statutory duty only.  Public agencies also include, among others, agencies of the United States and any Indian tribe recognized as such by the Federal Government.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Several other states have come to DIS to ask to use them as off-site provider for disaster recovery and back-up services. This bill seeks to provide explicit authority to do this. This would broaden the customer base, providing the benefit of economies of scale.

OTHER: Counties are looking for ways to control costs. Newspapers of record must be used for legal notices; this can be expensive. Might it be possible to develop a unified website for all levels of government to use to publish legal notices?

Persons Testifying: PRO: Blake Chard, DIS.

OTHER: Scott Merriman, Assoc. of Counties.