HB 498 Summary

• Establishes the Office of Information Technology Services in the Governor's office with an administrator appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

• Grants the office authority to control and approve communications equipment and facilities for state agencies, coordinate such acquisitions for higher education and elected officers, and provide a communications system for all state government departments and institutions.

• Authorizes the office to oversee cybersecurity policies, coordinate information security needs, conduct penetration tests and vulnerability scans, mandate employee training, and develop a statewide cybersecurity website.

• Creates the Idaho Technology Authority with up to 17 members including legislators, agency directors, and private industry representatives to review information technology systems, prepare statewide IT plans, and establish standards and policies.

• Transfers responsibility for the integrated property records system to the Office of Information Technology Services and requires state agencies to provide property records in electronic format by January 15, 2009, with ongoing updates thereafter; repeals eight obsolete code sections related to prior technology authority provisions.