STAND. COM. REP. NO. 910

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 850

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 850 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make the Chief Information Officer responsible for the independent verification and validation of information technology projects of the executive branch, including the University of Hawaii and the Department of Education.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that technology projects often involve substantial risk and expense and thus should be subject to independent verification and validation to ensure efficient and effective functioning of public institutions and government.  Your Committee believes that making the Chief Information Officer responsible for the independent verification and validation of information projects of the executive branch is a proactive approach to achieving the successful development and implementation of certain technology projects. 

     Your Committee also believes that imposing mandatory reporting requirements to the Legislature provides a level of accountability and transparency in these large scale information technology projects, and ensures recommendations are being implemented with fidelity.

     However, your Committee notes that the University of Hawaii and Department of Education have their own information technology departments, and that overlapping oversight of technology projects may introduce significant strain on state resources and detract from the services provided by each organization.  Accordingly, should a Standing Committee in the House of Representatives decide to hear this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider:

(1)  Exempting University of Hawaii and Department of Education information technology projects from the independent verification and validation responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer; and

(2)  Requiring the University of Hawaii and Department of Education to submit written reports to the Legislature for any independent verification and validation conducted for their respective information technology projects.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 850 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair