BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to technology planning; and amending RCW 43.105.160 and 43.105.190.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 43.105.160 and 1996 c 171 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall prepare a state strategic information technology plan which shall establish a state-wide mission, goals, and objectives for the use of information technology, including goals for electronic access to government records, information, and services. The plan shall be developed in accordance with the standards and policies established by the board and shall be submitted to the board for review, modification as necessary, and approval. The department shall seek the advice of the board in the development of this plan.

The plan approved under this section shall be updated as necessary and submitted to the governor ((~~and~~)), the chairs and ranking minority members of the appropriations committees of the senate and the house of representatives, and, during the legislative session, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the transportation committees of the senate and the house of representatives. During the legislative interim, the approved plan must be submitted to the legislative transportation committee, instead of the standing transportation committees.

(2) The department shall prepare a biennial state performance report on information technology based on agency performance reports required under RCW 43.105.170 and other information deemed appropriate by the department. The report shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) An evaluation of performance relating to information technology;

(b) An assessment of progress made toward implementing the state strategic information technology plan, including progress toward electronic access to public information and enabling citizens to have two-way access to public records, information, and services;

(c) An analysis of the success or failure, feasibility, progress, costs, and timeliness of implementation of major information technology projects under RCW 43.105.190;

(d) Identification of benefits, cost avoidance, and cost savings generated by major information technology projects developed under RCW 43.105.190; and

(e) An inventory of state information services, equipment, and proprietary software.

Copies of the report shall be distributed biennially to the governor ((~~and~~)), the chairs and ranking minority members of the appropriations committees of the senate and the house of representatives, and, during the legislative session, the chairs and ranking minority members of the transportation committees of the senate and the house of representatives. During the legislative interim, the report must be submitted to the legislative transportation committee, instead of the standing transportation committees.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.105.190 and 1996 c 137 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department, with the approval of the board, shall establish standards and policies governing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of major information technology projects, including those proposed by the superintendent of public instruction, in conjunction with educational service districts, or state-wide or regional providers of K-12 education information technology services. The standards and policies shall:

(a) Establish criteria to identify projects which are subject to this section. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, significant anticipated cost, complexity, or state-wide significance of the project; and

(b) Establish a model process and procedures which agencies shall follow in developing and implementing project plans. Agencies may propose, for approval by the department, a process and procedures unique to the agency. The department may accept or require modification of such agency proposals or the department may reject such agency proposals and require use of the model process and procedures established under this subsection. Any process and procedures developed under this subsection shall require (i) distinct and identifiable phases upon which funding may be based, (ii) user validation of products through system demonstrations and testing of prototypes and deliverables, and (iii) other elements identified by the board.

Project plans and any agreements established under such plans shall be approved and mutually agreed upon by the director, the director of financial management, and the head of the agency proposing the project.

The director may terminate a major project if the director determines that the project is not meeting or is not expected to meet anticipated performance standards.

(2) The office of financial management shall establish policies and standards governing the funding of projects developed under this section. The policies and standards shall provide for:

(a) Funding of a project under terms and conditions mutually agreed to by the director, the director of financial management, and the head of the agency proposing the project. However, the office of financial management may require incremental funding of a project on a phase-by-phase basis whereby funds for a given phase of a project may be released only when the office of financial management determines, with the advice of the department, that the previous phase is satisfactorily completed;

(b) Acceptance testing of products to assure that products perform satisfactorily before they are accepted and final payment is made; and

(3) The department shall evaluate projects at three stages of development as follows: (a) Initial needs assessment; (b) feasibility study including definition of scope, development of tasks and timelines, and estimated costs and benefits; and (c) final project implementation plan based upon available funding.

Copies of project evaluations conducted under this subsection shall be submitted to the office of financial management and the chairs, ranking minority members, and staff coordinators of the appropriations committees of the senate and house of representatives.

If there are projects that receive funding from a transportation fund or account, copies of those projects' evaluations conducted under this subsection must be submitted, during the legislative session, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the transportation committees of the senate and the house of representatives. During the legislative interim, the project evaluations must be submitted to the legislative transportation committee.