BILL ANALYSIS �
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
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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