House Votes to Create State Information Director

Technology expenses for state agencies could soon be
minimized thanks to legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives today.

House Bill 3145, by state Rep. David Derby, creates a state Office of Information Services to be operated and administered by a Chief Information Director.

The bill also removes the current Information Systems
Division from under the Oklahoma State Finance
Office and creates a separate centralized Information
Systems (IT) Division. The Office of Information
Services will have jurisdiction over the technical
infrastructure of the state

"This is a way to not only make government more
efficient and streamlined by eliminating
unnecessary technology costs but also make sure
all state's agencies technology and IT equipment
is fully functional and technologically sound,"
said Derby, R-Owasso. "This will ensure all
agencies are able to get better equipment if
needed."

Under the bill's provisions, the employees and
property currently assigned to the Information
Services Division of the Office of State Finance
will be transferred to the Office of Information
Services.

Derby said the director would be required to
issue a report of recommendations on the
modernization of state information technology
systems in the first six months.

"This will provide state agencies with a
detailed look of the ways technology can
improve service at an agency," said Derby.
"There have been instances where agencies
have had to hire outside IT help at costs up
to $200 an hour for a two-to-three month
project. This bill will eliminate the need for
something like that to ever happen-aren't we
always looking to save state money in the House?"

HB 3145 passed the full House today along party lines.