Senate Bill 550 Summary

• Creates Chief Information Officer position appointed by Governor with salary range of $130,000–$160,000 to oversee information technology and telecommunications systems for all state agencies.

• Requires Chief Information Officer to complete assessment within 12 months and submit comprehensive plan of action to Governor and legislature defining shared services model, implementation roadmap, and projected cost savings.

• Designates Chief Information Officer as Information Technology and Telecommunications Purchasing Director with authority to approve and procure all IT and telecom products and services for state agencies, making unapproved agency contracts unenforceable.

• Establishes 20 specific duties for Information Services Division including formulating IT strategy, implementing shared services infrastructure, managing telecommunications systems, and developing professional standards and policies.

• Defines "state agencies" to include executive and judicial branch entities, except higher education institutions and OneNet telecommunications network; effective July 1, 2015 with emergency declaration for immediate implementation.