MN SF2966

Abolishes the Office of MN.IT Services and establishes a Division of Information Technology within the Department of Administration, placing it under the Commissioner of Administration's supervision instead of as an independent agency.

Permits state agencies greater flexibility to contract with outside vendors for information technology services when the chief information officer and agency head agree it provides best value, subject to service-level agreements and compatibility standards.

Removes desktops and laptop computers from the Division's mandatory service list and makes them available only upon agency request, reducing the scope of required IT services.

Establishes annual legislative auditor evaluation of three to five state information technology projects, with the Legislative Audit Commission selecting at least one project annually for forensic review with recommendations to prevent future problems.

Effective July 1, 2018, and applies to contracts entered into on or after that date; repeals Minnesota Statutes section 16E.145 regarding IT appropriations management.