Title: An act relating to information technology projects.

Brief Description: Regarding state purchasing of information technology projects.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Anderson, Morris, Jarrett, Nixon, O'Brien, Hudgins, Tom, Kilmer and Wallace.

Brief History:

Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/20/06 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Morris, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; Hankins, Hudgins, Nixon, P. Sullivan, Sump, Takko and Wallace.

Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).

Background:

The Department of Information Services (DIS) is a cabinet level agency that provides technology-related services to government organizations in Washington. One of the duties of the DIS is to provide staff support to the Information Services Board (ISB).

The ISB is comprised of 15 members who represent the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government, higher education institutions, and the private sector. The ISB serves a regulatory function for technology. The ISB's policies and actions influence how state agencies proceed with information technology projects.

State Information Technology Reporting:
Under current law, state agencies must develop information technology portfolios. Each agency's portfolio must include: (1) a baseline assessment of the agency's information technology resources and capabilities; (2) projects and resources required to meet the objectives of the agency's identified projects; and (3) where feasible, estimated schedules and funding required to implement the agency's identified projects.

State agencies are directed to report to the DIS on progress with their portfolios. Per ISB policy, agencies are to provide this report to the DIS no later than August 31 of each year. In turn, the DIS is to aggregate this information and report to the Legislature and to the Governor on a biennial basis. The last biennial performance report submitted by the DIS occurred in August 2001. The DIS did not publish a biennial performance report in 2003 or 2005. According to the DIS, it does plan to publish a report for the 2003-2005 biennium in early 2006.

Fiscal Notes:
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) works with the Legislature on developing fiscal notes, which detail the expected impact of bills and resolutions that may increase or decrease state government revenue or expenditures. Fiscal notes must indicate the impact for the remainder of the current biennium in which the bill will take effect, as well as a cumulative forecast of the fiscal impact for the succeeding four fiscal years.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Fiscal notes must identify the fiscal and operational impact on the state information technology portfolio. The OFM and the DIS shall consult with each other in developing a process to measure the fiscal and operational impact of a given project on the state information technology portfolio.

The DIS must prepare a six-year strategic plan for state information technology projects. At a minimum, the strategic plan must contain the following:

• a long-term plan for state investments in information technology projects, which identifies the highest priority needs for information technology projects within affordable spending levels;
• a statewide information technology assessment, including detailed projected information and estimated costs for all ongoing information technology projects in a state's information technology portfolio;
• a detailed list of proposed information technology projects for the upcoming biennium and two succeeding biennia; and
• a comprehensive review of the most recent biennial state performance report.

The strategic plan must be updated biennially and submitted to the Governor and the appropriate fiscal committees of the Legislature.

The ISB is given the authority to develop statewide requirements for contracts for information technology projects.

The restriction on the ISB's authority over the legislative branch is removed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill inserts back into existing law the limitation on the Information Service Board's authority over the legislative branch.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: The Legislature needs to provide more oversight of information technology projects. We want the Legislature to understand the impact it may have on ongoing projects when it makes major changes to the law. We think having a strategic plan is important. Most of our information technology is outsourced and adding oversight will help the DIS better manage its resources. This bill will help the DIS make good decisions with respect to information technology and ensure that those investments are a success. This bill gives the Legislature some valuable tools.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Ross Hunter, prime sponsor; Gary Robinson, Department of Information Services; and Dennis Eagle, Washington Federation of State Employees.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.