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Information Technology Commission

MINUTES OF THE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
May 19, 1998 - 1:00 p.m. - Room 403 - State Capitol

Members Present:
    Sen. David H. Steele, Chair
    Rep. Blake D. Chard, Chair
    Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
    Mr. Cliff L. Ames
    Mr. Gerald R. Capps
    Mr. Ronald L. Fox
    Mr. Peter R. Genereaux
    Ms. Nancy Gibbs
    Ms. Eileen B. Longsworth
    Mr. Leon Miller
    Mr. David C. Moon


Members Absent:
    Sen. Craig L. Taylor
    Mr. Randall G. Harmsen
    Judge Norman H. Jackson
    Mr. David A. Packer
    Dr. Mike Petersen
    Mr. Jerry P. Peterson

Members Excused:
    Sen. Scott N. Howell
    Rep. Martin Stephens
    Commissioner Stephen F. Mecham     Mr. Robert W. Hood

Staff Present:
    Mr. Richard North,
        Research Analyst
    Ms. Tani Pack Downing,
        Associate General Counsel
    Ms. Junie Anderson,
        Legislative Secretary

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

1.    Call to Order - Chair Steele called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.

2.    Year 2000 Implementation Plan - A Detailed Look - David Fletcher, Department of Administrative Services, Year 2000 Program Manager, Utah, discussed the executive branch's strategic plan and how it will help to resolve major problems. He said information about the state's Year 2000 plan can be found on the Internet at y2k.state.ut.us.

    He said the Commission could assist the Year 2000 program by coordinating it with public and higher educational institutions and assisting with dedicated funding needs. He also suggested that members from the Utah Education Network (UEN), higher education, and the public education offices be invited to report to the Commission on their efforts toward solving the Year 2000 problems.

    Mr. Fox suggested that someone from the University Hospital also be contacted for input.


    Mr. North asked how "compliance" is defined and how to test for it. Mr. Fletcher said it would be difficult to develop tests for compliance.

    Chair Steele directed staff to contact the educational community and request their participation and coordination in the Year 2000 issues. Also, to furnish identification of contacts by institution or district (higher ed and public ed). He further suggested the Commission consider having legislation drafted, endorsing the concept of making compliance a number one legislative priority for the next fiscal year.

    Rolen Yoshinaga, Administrative Office of the Courts, reported that the Judicial Branch is almost finished with its Y2K conversion. He also said the electronic filing system, which is about to be implemented, is expected to function properly.

3.    Digital Signatures Implementation - Ken Allen, Digital Signature Coordinator, Utah Division on Commerce, discussed the implementation of Digital Signature pilot programs. He distributed an outline titled, "Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations & Commercial Code - Utah Digital Signature Program."

    Mr. Allen said the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Division of Information Technology Services (ITS), and the governor's offices should encourage the use of this technology. He also recommended the creation of a task force that includes officers from the CIO's and ITS's offices for the purpose of identifying applications and funding needs of the Digital Signature program.

    Rolen Yoshinaga, Administrative Office of the Courts, reported on the electronic filing system for the courts and the need for digital signatures. He indicated there may need to be a shift in application implementation.

4.    Information Technology Personnel - Hiring And Retention Plan - Karen Suzuki- Okabe, Exec. Director, Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM), distributed a memorandum titled, "Options to Help Reduce IT Turnover." She discussed the options listed to help solve the problem as detailed in the memorandum. She was also concerned for the total compensation programs of the state.

    Ms. Okabe indicated one of the main issues in setting appropriate salaries for state employees is which entities must be included in the state salary survey. By statute, DHRM must include small and medium businesses even though the state is a large employer. By including small and medium businesses, the salary scale is pulled downward.

    She also said that the state, in addition to struggling with its traditional competitor for employees _ the private sector, is now also having to compete with local government which is paying substantially higher wages.

    Larene Wyss, DHRM, discussed the costs of implementing salary increases for IT employees.

5.    Privacy Update - Tani Pack Downing, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, distributed two articles from USA Today titled, "Gore proposes 'Electronic Bill of Rights' For Privacy," and "AmEx's Consumer Data Plan Stirs Privacy Issue." She briefed the Commission on privacy topics that may be studied this interim period.

    Ms. Downing distributed a memorandum titled, "Potential Privacy Topics," and asked Commission members to prioritize their top seven choices and return the survey to staff.

6.    Commission Business - Mr. North reported that 18 résumés for the four membership openings have been received to date.

    The date for the next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for June 15, 1998 at 1:30 p.m.

7.    Adjourn

    The meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m.

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