SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6410

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 1996

Title:  An act relating to repeal of the sunset of the department of information services.

Brief Description:  Repealing the sunset of the department of information services.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer, Finkbeiner and Haugen; by request of Department of Information Services and Office of Financial Management.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/30/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/10/96, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Katie Healy (786-7403)

Background:  Current law provides for the coordinated planning and management of state information services.  The state Information Services Board (ISB) was created to deal with the acquisition and disposal of equipment, software and purchased services for the state and its agencies.  The board also establishes statewide or interagency policies, standards, and procedures, and assists in planning for strategic goals and objectives for the state.  In addition, the board establishes policies for the periodic review of agencies, including the planning, management, control and use of information services, project management, and training.

The board is comprised of nine members, seven of whom are appointed by the Governor.  One of the appointed members is a representative of higher education, one from a state agency, and one a representative from the private sector.  One member represents the judicial branch and is appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  Another is from the legislative branch and is selected by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The director is a nonvoting member of the board.

The Department of Information Services (DIS) was established to carry out duties and responsibilities delegated by ISB.  DIS prepares a state strategic information technology plan which establishes a statewide mission, goals and objectives for the use of information technology.  The plan is submitted to ISB for review, modification if necessary, and approval.  DIS prepares a biennial state performance report on information technology based on agency performance reports.

When required by the Office of Financial Management (OFM), DIS evaluates agency budget requests for major information technology projects, and submits recommendations to OFM for funding such requests.  DIS establishes criteria for evaluating agency budget requests.  DIS also provides staff support from the planning component to ISB.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement that the Information Services Board and the Department of Information Services be terminated on June 30, 1996, is repealed.  The effective date of the repeal of the acts or parts of acts dealing with the ISB and DIS is changed to June 30, 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  These agencies provide critical services to the state.  Their functions are necessary and need to continue.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Steve Kolodney, Department of Information Services (pro); Gary Robinson, OFM (pro).