North Carolina Technology Reform Bill Signed

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley signed SB 991 into law, which reforms technology administration in the state. Previously, most state technology decisions were made by a 20-member panel, the Internal Resource Management Commission (IRMC), whose members were appointed by the governor and the legislature. With the signing of SB 991 most of the authority previously held by the IRMC was transferred to the state CIO and the Information Technology Services department.

The signing of the bill means that technology policy will be directed by the CIO's office and requires him to give the governor a biennial technology plan (every two years). In addition, the bill creates a 12-member Information Technology Advisory Board, appointed by the governor and the legislature, that will advise the CIO in technology purchasing, but will lack the authority to approve or reject technology buys.

The bill was introduced to improve state government information technology planning, adopt standards, make project development more efficient, reduce cost overruns, provide assistance to state agencies and to increase accountability. The passage of the bill is expected to save the state 10 percent on technology spending.