FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5194

                           C 80 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing information technology management provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Brown, Rossi, Fraser, Finkbeiner, Gardner and Winsley; by request of Department of Information Services.

Senate Committee on Energy, Technology & Telecommunications

House Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  The Information Services Board (ISB) is the 12-member body charged with setting policy regarding information technology (IT) resources for state agencies.  Its staff support comes from the Department of Information Services (DIS).

In January 1998, ISB directed agencies to adopt the portfolio management system for their IT resources.  Under this system, each agency=s IT resources, such as computers, computer systems, and telecommunications equipment, are managed as one would manage other investments such as real estate or stocks.  Each proposed investment is examined in the context of the agency=s current and planned investments as well as in the context of the state=s overall IT holdings.  DIS= enabling statute reflects the former IT management structure which focused on individual agencies= acquisition plans.

The DIS enabling statute also contains a limitation on the total number of deputy and assistant directors.  DIS is one of only two cabinet-level agencies with such a restriction in its enabling statute.  This restriction was placed in statute in 1987 when DIS was created to prevent proliferation of deputy and assistant directors during the consolidation of several service centers into the new department.  Since that time, DIS services and responsibilities have expanded as the use of technology has increased.  It has been suggested that this provision has become inconsistent with the development of the agency.

The department is requesting this legislation to bring its enabling statute into conformance with current policies and practices and to give the director more flexibility to organize and administer the agency.

Summary:  A definition for Ainformation technology portfolio@ is added.  References to Aacquisition plans,@ Aoversight committees@ and other outdated language are replaced by terms such as Ainformation technology portfolios@ and Aadvisory board.@

A provision requiring approval of project plans by the director of the agency and the directors of Financial Management and DIS is deleted.

Agencies are directed to develop IT portfolios and to consider those portfolios when making decisions about IT investments.  Requirements for review of agency IT budget requests are amended by requiring criteria consistent with the portfolio system.

A provision limiting the department to a total of four deputy and assistant directors is deleted.

Other clarifying and technical changes are made.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     93 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999