SB 5957

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

SB 5957

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to administrative practices concerning the information processing and communications systems of the legislature overseen by the joint legislative systems committee.

Sponsors: Senator Kohl-Welles; by request of Joint Legislative Systems Committee.

Brief Summary of Bill

Exempts the Joint Legislative System Committee, the Joint Legislative Systems Administrative Committee, and the Legislative Service Center from the provisions of Chapter 43.105 RCW;

Reassigns duties for employment and contract administration to the coordinator of the Legislative Service Center; and

Requires the Joint Legislative Systems Administrative Committee to adopt a personnel plan

Hearing Date: 3/20/07

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

The Joint Legislative Systems Committee (Systems Committee) consists of four legislative members, one from each of the two largest caucuses in each chamber of the Legislature. Its function is to oversee the Legislature's information systems and technology policy.

The Legislative Systems Administrative Committee (Administrative Committee) consists of five members, two from Senate administration, two from House administration, and one from the Office of the Code Reviser. The Administrative Committee manages the information processing and communications systems of the Legislature and is delegated the following duties:

Adopt policies, procedures, and standards for information processing and communications systems of the Legislature;
Establish charges for services, equipment, and publications provided by the legislative information processing and communications systems;
Employ and fix the compensation for personnel;
Enter into contracts for the sale, exchange, or acquisition of equipment, supplies, services and facililities, and the distribution of legislative information; and
Assist the Systems Committee as directed.

The Administrative Committee oversees the Joint Legislative Service Center (LSC). LSC provides automated data processing services, equipment, training, and support to the Legislature and legislative agencies, and may also provide services to agencies of the judicial and executive branch. The Systems Committee employs and fixes the salary of the coordinator for LSC. The coordinator of LSC serves as the administrative head of the center and assists the (Administrative Committee).

Summary of Bill:

The Systems Committee must adopt a personnel plan and the coordinator of LSC, in accordance with the personnel plan, has the authority to employ and fix the compensation of employees of LSC. The responsibility to enter into contracts for the sale or acquisition of equipment, supplies, services, and facilities, and for the distribution of legislative information is transferred to the coordinator of LSC.

The Administrative Committee is required to approve strategic and tactical information technology plans and provide guidance in operational matters as required.

The authority of LSC to provide services to agencies of the judicial and executive branch, as well as provide public access to legislative information, is clarified.

The Systems Committee, Administrative Committee, and LSC are exempted from the provisions contained in statutes relating to the Department of Information Services.

The legislative systems revolving fund is abolished. The committees and LSC will operate on funds appropriated by the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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