OKLAHOMA CITY (March 11, 2009) – Legislation seeking to consolidate and coordinate IT services between state agencies passed the House today.

House Bill 1704 incorporates the recommendations of recent studies to improve the delivery of information technology services and to maximize the state’s investment in technology.

"We are one of only four states across the country to not have a chief information officer to streamline technology purchases and operations," said Rep. David Derby, author of the bill.

A task force created by 2005 legislation concluded that Oklahoma lacked a state technology strategy after listening to the concerns of agency information technology personnel. In 2007, as part of an initiative to streamline and modernize state government, the House Republican leadership further examined the costs savings potential in restructuring the state’s technology services.

Most recently, experts from across the nation appeared before a joint meeting of the House and Senate Appropriation and Budget committees to provide examples of other states’ successes in modernizing their information technology services, often resulting in tremendous savings.

"Currently, state agencies are operating on different IT contracts, despite having similar needs," said Derby, R-Owasso. "This legislation will improve IT services to agencies while also saving the state money as the state’s purchasing power improves."

Under HB 1704, the state’s new director of information technology services will have nine months to assess the needs and status of each of the state agencies’ various systems, including identifying areas where there may be duplication of services.

The director will also identify costs savings associated with the reorganization of the state’s information technology systems. After the nine-month assessment, the director will have another three months to develop and present a statewide information technology plan to legislative leaders.

The legislation is part of an ongoing House Republican effort to consolidate and streamline state government in order to realize savings for the Oklahoma taxpayer.

"We must do all we can, especially in a down budget year, to make sure government is as efficient as possible," said Rep. Jason Murphey, chairman of the House Government Modernization Committee.

The bill passed the House today with a vote of 55-41 and will next move to the Senate for consideration.