Title: An act relating to membership of the information services board.

Brief Description: Modifying membership of the information services board.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Crouse, Morris and Wallace.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/05/07, 85-7.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/27/07 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Kline and Swecker.

Staff: Amy Van Horn (786-7784)

Background: The Information Services Board (Board) provides authorization and oversight for managing large information technology projects administered by executive branch agency staff. Board members develop state information technology standards, govern acquisitions, review and
approve the statewide information technology strategic plans, develop statewide or interagency
technical policies, and provide oversight on large information technology projects.

The Board is comprised of 15 members who represent the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government, higher education institutions, and the private sector. Eight of the 15 members are appointed by the Governor. Of those eight members, one is a representative of higher education; one is a representative of an agency under a statewide official other than the Governor; and two are representatives of the private sector. The representation of the other four Governor-appointed members is not specified in statute.

Summary of Bill: One of the Governor-appointed members of the Board must either have direct experience using the software projects overseen by the Board, or must reasonably expect to use new software developed under the oversight of the Board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Board works very well presently, but it would work even better with a little more input from the end-user, who will be using the products developed and purchased by the Board on a daily basis. This does not cost more money or increase the size of the Board; it is a commonsense, practical way to make sure that the state gets what it needs.

CON: End-users already have a great amount of authority within these projects, in the areas of their expertise. That includes user testing of potential products. Moreover, several state agencies are already represented on the Board.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Hudgins, prime sponsor; Amber Lewis, Washington Federation of State Employees.

CON: Tracy Guerin, Washington Department of Information Services.