BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2523 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 7, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 2523 (Cooley) - As Amended: April 21, 2014 Policy Committee: Accountability and Administrative Review Vote: 12 - 0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY The bill requires the Director of the Department of Technology (DOT) to provide a report to the Legislature by July 1, 2016, recommending how a team of senior consulting information technology (IT) experts could be developed to support state agencies and senior project team members in state government IT projects. FISCAL EFFECT Minor costs to the DOT to produce the report. However, absent a sunset extension the DOT will sunset prior to the deadline for the report. COMMENTS 1)Purpose . The author states this bill is intended to provide a roadmap for developing a cadre of senior IT experts to serve as consultants for top agency managers statewide when they are tasked with managing complex, long-term technology projects. The bill requires the Director of DOT to evaluate how such a team could aid projects in avoiding pitfalls in 13 key areas. 2)Background . At a March 20, 2014, joint informational hearing of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration and the Select Committee on Government Efficiency, Technology, and Innovation, DOT presented on its recently launched Planning and Consulting Division that aims to provide early intervention and hands-on coaching to projects experiencing challenges. DOT reports that it has already hired experts in AB 2523 Page 2 a variety of 12 issue areas that are similar to the 13 identified in this bill. DOT indicates that the process to hire experts in the remaining areas is ongoing. 3)Existing Law . The DOT is established until January 1, 2015, to serve as the central IT organization for California, responsible for approving and monitoring all statewide IT projects; providing centralized IT services and training to government entities; developing statewide IT security policies and procedures; and, providing oversight of telecommunication and IT procurements. 4)DOT Sunset Date . Absent a Legislative extension, the Department of Technology will sunset January 1, 2015, the day this bill would take effect, and 18 months before the required report is due. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081