HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1965

                       As Passed House

                       March 14,  1997

Title:  An act relating to the information services board.

Brief Description:  Requiring more private sector representation on the information services board.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by  Representatives Radcliff and Huff).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/28/97, 3/4/97 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/14/97, 93‑1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Murray; Reams; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives Dunshee and Smith.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  The Washington State Information Services Board is created with a variety of authorities relating to computers and software, including the authority to: (1) Develop standards for acquiring and disposing of equipment and software and for confidentiality of computerized data; (2) purchase and lease equipment and software, or to delegate this authority to other agencies; (3) review and approve standards for telecommunication networks used by state agencies; and (4) provide strategic planning.

The board is composed of 13 members, eight appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Superintendent of Public Instruction or his or her appointee, one selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one selected by the President of the Senate, and the director of the Department of Information Services.  Of the eight members appointed by the Governor, at least two must be representatives of the private sector.

The board selects a chairperson from among its members.

Summary of Bill:  The number of members on the Washington State Information Services Board is increased from 13 to 15, with two additional legislators added.  Four of the eight, rather than two of the eight, appointees by the Governor to the Washington State Information Services Board must be representative of the private sector.

At least twice a year the board reports to the fiscal committees of both houses on information technology projects and initiatives. 

Copies of project evaluations conducted by the Department of Information Services must be submitted to the policy committees of the Senate and House of Representatives with responsibilities for issues relating to the agency that undertakes the project.

The board shall coordinate efforts by agencies to implement modifications to state information technology necessitated by the year 2000.

Members of the board no longer have to file annual financial statements with the Public Disclosure Commission.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  We need more technologically savvy people on the board.  It is tough to find private sector people to serve if they have to file annual financial reports.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Radcliff, prime sponsor.