House Bill 796 Summary

• Creates the North Carolina General Assembly Technology Task Force consisting of 15 members (legislators, staff, and public representatives) to investigate current IT operations and recommend technology improvements by March 31, 2022.

• Task Force shall develop a three-year plan for technology installation and deployment, including hardware, software, telephony, and infrastructure to enable legislators and staff to work efficiently on-campus or remotely.

• Appropriates $120,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022: $95,000 for a one-year trial of closed captioning for legislative proceedings and $25,000 to enhance the bill tracking system and plan closed captioning infrastructure.

• Directs the Task Force to study how other states have implemented public participation for individuals with disabilities and those with limited connectivity, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2021, with the Technology Task Force terminating upon submission of its report or March 31, 2022, whichever occurs first.