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Information Technology Commission

MINUTES OF THE

    
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION

June 26, 1997 - 1:30 p.m. - Room 403 State Capitol


Members Present:
    Sen. David H. Steele,
     Senate Chair
    Rep. Blake D. Chard,
     House Chair
    Mr. Clifford L. Ames
    Mr. Gerald R. Capps
    Ms. Nancy CW Gibbs
    Mr. Robert W. Hood
    Dr. E. Jeffery Livingston
    Ms. Eileen B. Longsworth
    Mr. Stephen F. Mecham
    Mr. O. Leon Miller
    Mr. Gordon A. Peterson
    
Members Excused:
    Dr. Ned C. Hill
    Judge Norman H. Jackson
    Sen. Scott N. Howell

Members Absent:
    Sen. Craig L. Taylor    
    Rep. Brent Goodfellow
    Rep. Martin R. Stephens
    Mr. Peter R. Genereaux
    Mr. Randall G. Harmsen
    Mr. David A. Packer
    Mr. Jerry P. Peterson

Staff Present:
    Ms. Tani Pack Downing,
     Associate General Counsel
    Ms. Wendy Bangerter,
     Committee Secretary

Note:    A list of others present and a copy of materials distributed in the meeting is on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.    Call to Order - Committee Business - Sen. Steele called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.

MOTION:    Mr. Gordon Peterson made a motion to approve the minutes of May 22, 1997. The motion passed unanimously.

2.     The Electronic Law Project

    Brent Israelsen, Vice-Chair, Electronic Law Project Task Force, with the help of Dane Goodfellow explained to the Commission the task force's study efforts in automating the Judicial process. He presented overhead slides indicating the different programs being developed and stated the purpose of the Electronic Law Project is to develop statewide standards and remove barriers so that everyone can fit into the electronic market. He noted some of the occupations and businesses that will be affected by this change, in addition to the State. He indicated that no state has accomplished this change up to now because none have the visionary leadership Utah has. He explained Utah also has organization and a funding group. He explained it will be a three to four year project where recommendations and coalitions will be made. He also reviewed the needed budget of $75,000 from government sources, and reported on their financial status.
    
MOTION:    Gordon Peterson made a motion that the chairs of the Information Technology Commission take the recommendation of support of the Electronic Law Project to the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee. The motion passed unanimously.
    
3.    Introduction To Data Privacy And Data Privacy In The Marketplace
            
    Tani Pack Downing, Associate General Counsel, discussed the development of data privacy as an issue (why it has come up). She reviewed a history of privacy issues and what studies have been conducted. She outlined the four major areas of review, and then briefed the Commission on current data privacy policies and practices in the marketplace. She stated staff's commitment to inform the Commission as to privacy issues that will come up in the future regarding information accessible on the "Web." She reviewed her handout Privacy issues - Introduction, that included facts about the US Constitution, positive uses of data gathering, and acceptable and unacceptable uses. She noted next month's discussion will include Data Privacy In Government and there will be a "surfing safari" on the Internet to look at some of the companies collecting and offering data as well as reviewing other companies' public information policies. Her second presentation and handout, Data Privacy in the Marketplace, defined personal privacy and included, among other topics, benefits and disadvantages of sharing data, the role of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), National Information Infrastructure Task Force (NII) report summary and future data privacy topics.

4.    How Digital Signatures Will Work In The Marketplace    
            
        Mr. Ken Allen, Digital Signature's Coordinator/Legal Counsel, Div. Of Corporations , presented a slide show demonstrating what a digital signature is, how it works. and how it is created. He also explained the security and other benefits of a digitized signature. His handout included frequently asked questions and answers to those questions, and he gave a brief overview of the Utah Digital Signature Program. Other points his presentation included were:

.     The need for a certification authority (trusted third party) and how it binds the public key to an identity;
.     Some examples for uses of the digital signature, especially in commerce over the Internet;
.     Legal issues;
.     Obligation of subscribers;
.     Obligation of Certification Authorities;
.     Obligation of Recipients; and
.     The Utah Digital Signature Act.

    Mr. Allen asked for assistance from the Information Technology Commission to help garner funding for the digital signature program; however, it was noted by the Chair that a quorum was not present for a vote.

5.    Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): Public Service Commission Ruling, Rates, and Other States
            
    Steve Mecham, Chair, Public Service Commission, referred to his handout titled, What is ISDN? It included the Public Service Commission's ruling and its basis. He reviewed the two levels of ISDN: Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and the Primary Rate Interface (PRI). He indicated where (BRI) ISDN is available at the present time and its rates in the U S West states.
    
    Ingo Henningsen, Mgr. Telecommunications Section, Div. Of Public Utilities, discussed the use and capabilities of ISDN in other states at the end of 1996 and compared that with Utah.
    
    Ken Jones, Mgr. Transport Services, Div. Of Information Services (ITS) reviewed the State of Utah's process for acquiring ISDN and the current status. He explained ITS's relationship and issues between ITS and U S West. He also reviewed some of the problems that were encountered when ITS worked with U S West on installing a trial ISDN line based on national standards. He reviewed how many lines ITS currently has installed and where it is presently available in the state.

    The Commission discussed the possibility that ISDN technology could be "leap frogged" and concluded that all the different technologies are going to be needed.

    Sen. Steele asked that this discussion be continued in the August meeting.

    The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.



                        


            


                

            


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