HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2125

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 Reported by House Committee On:

General Government & Information Technology

Title: An act relating to information technology budget requests.

Brief Description: Concerning information technology budget requests.

Sponsors: Representatives Parker, Hudgins, Wilcox, Ormsby and Magendanz.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

General Government & Information Technology: 2/20/15, 2/24/15 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires that agency budget requests for proposed information technology expenditures include certain information to support the Office of the Chief Information Officer's budget request evaluation process.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Senn, Vice Chair; MacEwen, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McCabe, Morris and Takko.

Staff: Derek Rutter (786-7157).

Background:

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) was created in 2011 within the Office of Financial Management (OFM). The OCIO is responsible for the preparation and implementation of a strategic information technology (IT) plan and enterprise architecture for the state. The OCIO works toward standardization and consolidation of IT infrastructure and establishes IT standards and policies, including state IT security policies. The OCIO also prepares a biennial state performance report on IT, evaluates current IT spending and budget requests, and oversees major IT projects.

In the 2014 Supplemental Operating Budget, a proviso (Proviso) required agency budget requests for proposed IT expenditures to include certain information in conjunction with the OCIO's budget-request evaluation process. Required information included the agency's priority ranking of each IT-expenditure request, the estimated total cost of the request in the current biennium, the estimated total cost of the request over all biennia, and an expected timeline to complete the request. The Proviso also provided that the OCIO and the OFM may ask agencies to include additional information on such requests.

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Summary of Bill:

Agency budget requests for proposed information technology expenditures must include the information required by the Proviso, namely: (1) the agency's priority ranking of each information technology request, (2) the estimated cost of the request for the current biennium; (3) the estimated total cost of the request over all biennia; and (4) the expected timeline to complete the request. The OCIO and the OFM may also request that agencies include additional information on proposed information technology expenditure requests.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This was a Proviso in the budget last year. It came about because of a $2.5 million request for "phones." It turned out that the money was actually being used to purchase vehicles. The language in this bill ensures that requests are accompanied by a one-page executive summary that lists all relevant information up front. That way, hurried legislators can understand at a glance exactly how the money will be used. The measure provides additional transparency, was approved by the Governor, and had bipartisan support across all chambers.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Parker, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.