BILL ANALYSIS
AB 617
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Date of Hearing: May 13, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 617 (Blumenfeld) - As Introduced: February 25, 2009
Policy Committee: Business and
Professions Vote: 7 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Office of the Chief Information Officer
(OCIO) to establish and enforce a state information technology
(IT) strategic plan to protect the environment and reduce energy
use. Specifically, this bill requires the IT plan to include the
following:
1)Application of stringent energy and environmental standards
and requirements for the procurement of new IT hardware by
state agencies.
2)Incorporation of proven green technologies into the state's IT
infrastructure.
3)Utilization of sources of renewable energy by state data
centers.
4)Utilization of energy-efficient equipment and technologies in
the IT project approval process.
5)Replacement of state agencies' end-of-life desktop computers
with energy-efficient laptop computers.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Costs in the range of $100,000 for the workload associated
with the OCIO including required elements in a strategic plan.
2)Unknown, but significant costs in the range of tens of
millions of dollars associated with requiring the OCIO to
AB 617
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enforce a state IT strategic plan to protect the environment.
For example, requiring the state to replace desktop computers
with laptop computers alone could cost the state in excess of
$10 million. While there would be on-going energy savings
associated with using laptops instead of desktops, the state
would still need to make the initial investment for the
equipment.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . Over the last few years, California has adopted a
wide array of policies and programs designed to reduce energy
use and greenhouse gas emissions through increased
conservation, efficiency and renewable resources. The OCIO
currently advises the governor on the strategic management and
direction of the state's IT resources. As part of the
process, the OCIO prepares a strategic plan. Several key
elements were listed in the 2009 strategic management plan for
IT resources to promote environmental protection and energy
reduction. The intent of AB 617 is to codify the key
environmental protection and energy reduction requirements
developed by the CIO. The author contends, "While specific
targets may vary, the principles enumerated are significant
and should continue to apply."
2)Related Legislation . AB 1266 (Huber) codifies the Governors
Reorganization Plan (GRP) Number 1. That bill is pending
before this committee.
AB 618 (Blumenfeld) requires the Office of the Chief
Information Officer (OCIO) to submit a strategic plan by
January 15, 2010 that includes information on the key
performance measures identified by the OCIO for the Governor's
Reorganization Plan (GRP) Number 1. That bill is pending
before this committee.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081