Background: The Department of Information Services (DIS) was formed in 1987 to provide coordinated planning and management of state information systems, telecommunications, equipment, and software.

The department's duties include:

creating statewide policies, guidelines, and fees;
reviewing technology-related requests;
managing technology service and repair;
negotiating with service providers;
working in conjunction with Washington State University to maintain a web directory of public facilities that provide community technology programs;
coordinating among state agencies to create a one-stop consumer protection website;
assisting the State Library and the State Archive in a pilot project for an electronic information locater system. This project has since become "Find-It Washington;" and
maintaining the Data Processing Revolving Fund and the Education Technology Revolving Fund.

The Information Services Board sets interagency policies and develops standards and procedures for the purchase and lease of equipment, software, and related services.

The K-20 network is a high-speed, high-capacity network that links K-12 school districts, libraries, colleges, and universities. The K-20 Educational Network Board (K-20 Board) sets policy and methodology for the K-20 network development, operation, and expansion. The K-20 Board has 11 voting members, including the chair of the Information Services Board, and the director of DIS. The director of DIS serves as chair of the K-20 Board. The K-20 Board also maintains the K-20 Technology Account.

The Information System Services Division (ISSD) of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) maintains all information technology services for DSHS.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Information Services is eliminated.

K-20 Network Board membership is reduced from 11 members to two. The chair of the Information Services Board and the director of DIS are removed. The chair is elected by majority vote of members.

Funds remaining in the following accounts must be returned to the General Fund:

Data Processing Revolving Fund;
Education Technology Revolving Fund; and
K-20 Technology Account.

DSHS must eliminate the ISSD. DSHS is prohibited from maintaining a similar department in the future. Responsibilities of the ISSD are absorbed by DSHS.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: CON: At least one in five Washington families is directly impacted by DIS services. DIS provides around-the-clock protection for the state's data systems, including state payroll. Outsourcing would be difficult and potentially costly. Informal estimates for the Department of Personnel indicate that outsourcing would incur approximately the same ongoing costs, but would incur start-up fees of as much as $500,000. This is not a good time to add to the state's unemployment rolls, especially with an indeterminate fiscal note.