GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SECOND EXTRA SESSION 1996

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 62

Short Title:  Technology Oversight Committee.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representative Reynolds.

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Referred to:  Rules.

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July 10, 1996

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 120 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"ARTICLE 12L.
"Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Technology.
"§ 120-70.110.  Creation and membership of Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Technology.
(a)	The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Technology is established.  The Committee consists of eight members as follows:
(1)	Four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and
(2)	Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(b)	Members of the Committee shall serve a term of two years beginning on January 15 of each odd-numbered year.  Members may complete a term of service on the Committee even if they do not seek reelection or are not reelected to the General Assembly, but resignation or removal from service in the General Assembly constitutes resignation or removal from service on the Committee. A member continues to serve until the member's successor is appointed.  A vacancy shall be filled within 30 days by the officer who made the original appointment.
"§ 120-70.111.  Purpose and powers of Committee.
(a)	The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Technology shall examine, on a continuing basis, the status of technology in State government, including funded State agency technology projects, and recommend to the General Assembly ways to improve the use of technology and information systems in State government.  The Committee shall review, examine, and approve:
(1)	The policies and procedures of the State Information Processing Services and other executive agencies governing computer equipment purchase and lease contracts, equipment maintenance contracts, software support and maintenance contracts, contract programming services, and data communications contracts.
(2)	The current technological infrastructure of State government and information systems use and needs in State government.
(3)	Current charge structures for information processing in State government, particularly charge structures at the State Information Processing Services.
(4)	Potential demands for additional information staff, equipment, software, data communications, and consulting services in State government during the next 10 years.
(5)	Plans, policies, procedures, and rules of the Office of State Controller with regard to the management and use of information technology resources, Information Highway, and training programs in the State departments and agencies.
(6)	The desirability of establishing standards and guidelines for the procurement of computer equipment and software in an economical and cost-effective manner.
(7)	Any other matters or issues related to technology that the Committee considers necessary.
(b)	The Committee shall consult with the Information Resource Management Commission on statewide technology strategies and initiatives and review all legislative proposals and other recommendations of the Information Resource Management Commission.  The Committee also shall consult with the Commission on School Technology on the current use of learning and instructional management technologies for the schools, the policies and procedures for the procurement of school technology, and the local school system technology plans of the local school systems.
(c)	The Committee shall report to the General Assembly at the beginning of each regular session concerning the Committee's activities and findings and any recommendations for statutory changes.
"§ 120-70.112.  Organization of Committee.
(a)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Technology.  The Committee shall meet at least once a quarter and may meet at other times upon the joint call of the cochairs.
(b)	A quorum of the Committee is four members.  No action may be taken except by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  While in the discharge of its official duties, the Committee has the powers of a joint committee under G.S. 120-19 and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4.
(c)	Members of the Committee receive subsistence and travel expenses as provided in G.S. 120-3.1.  The Committee may contract for consultants or hire employees in accordance with G.S. 120-32.02.  The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work.  Upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission, the Supervisors of Clerks of the Senate and of the House of Representatives shall assign clerical staff to the Committee.  The expenses for clerical employees shall be paid by the Committee."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.