REPORT TITLE:
Y2k Compliance; Auditor


DESCRIPTION:
Requires auditor to independently verify state agencies' and
departments' preparedness in bringing their statewide computer
systems into year 2000 compliance.  Report to legislature 20 days
prior to convening of regular session of 2000.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           1207
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION BY THE AUDITOR OF STATE
   AGENCIES' AND DEPARTMENTS' PREPAREDNESS IN BRINGING
   STATEWIDE COMPUTER SYSTEMS INTO YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The year 2000 problem stems from the fact that
 
 2 data systems recognize only the last two digits of a year, and
 
 3 "00" is read as "1900" instead of "2000".  These computer systems
 
 4 must be modified to enable compliance and prevent errors or
 
 5 system failures before January 1, 2000.  "Year 2000 compliant"
 
 6 means, with respect to any computer system, that the system
 
 7 accurately processes date and time data (including calculating,
 
 8 comparing, projecting, and sequencing) from, into, and between
 
 9 the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the years 1999 and
 
10 2000, and leap year calculations.
 
11      The State's committee to address state government's
 
12 activities to ensure compliance reports that the State is on
 
13 schedule to meet its compliance obligations.  However, there
 
14 needs to be independent assurance that the State's system of
 
15 computers statewide is, in fact, being successfully brought into
 
16 compliance.
 
17      There is an unquantifiable chance that major systems will
 
18 break down and cause social upheaval in Hawaii.  Our geographic
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           1207
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 isolation as an island state highlights our vulnerability.  That
 
 2 disruption will occur is generally accepted.  However, the extent
 
 3 of this disruption is debatable.  The conventional wisdom is that
 
 4 no one really knows what will happen and how serious it will be. 
 
 5      The purpose of this Act is to provide confirmation that the
 
 6 State's computer systems statewide are successfully being brought
 
 7 into Y2K compliance through independent verification by the
 
 8 auditor.
 
 9      SECTION 2.  (a)  The auditor shall independently verify
 
10 state agencies' and departments' preparedness in bringing their
 
11 statewide computer systems into year 2000 compliance.  "Year 2000
 
12 compliant" means, with respect to any computer system, that the
 
13 system accurately processes date and time data (including
 
14 calculating, comparing, projecting, and sequencing) from, into,
 
15 and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the
 
16 years 1999 and 2000, and leap year calculations.
 
17      (b)  The auditor shall report its findings at least twenty
 
18 days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2000.
 
19      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
20 
 
21                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________