SB117 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jerry L. FieldingBill HoltzclawJimmy HolleyTrip PittmanMark Slade BlackwellCam WardDel MarshPaul BussmanGreg J. ReedGerald O. DialScott BeasonDick BrewbakerShadrack McGillBryan TaylorClay ScofieldJ.T. WaggonerGerald H. AllenRusty GloverPaul Sanford

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Information Technology, Office of, coordination of information technology of state agencies created, Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology established, power and duties, secretary exempt from Sunset Law, Secs. 16-61D-1 to 16-61D-6, inclusive, repealed; Sec. 41-4-221 am'd.

Summary

SB117 creates a centralized Office of the Secretary of Information Technology and a Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee to guide, coordinate, and oversee state IT, repealing the old IT department and establishing new governance and accountability.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a cabinet-level Secretary of Information Technology appointed by the Governor to lead IT policy and coordination across state agencies. It repeals the existing IT office and moves IT governance under the new secretary, who can hire staff, manage budgets, and collaborate with the Alabama Supercomputer Authority. It creates a Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee to review the secretary’s performance and requires a Governor-appointed search committee to recommend candidates for the secretary role, with a focus on accountability and transparency. It also exempts the secretary from the Sunset Law, sets budgeting rules, and updates the duties of the Division of Data Systems Management to fit the new structure.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and state IT staff: IT functions are centralized under the Secretary of Information Technology, with new planning, coordination, standards, procurement, inventory, and project-approval requirements; displaced state employees may be offered transfer to the new office.
• Legislature and the public: A Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee will monitor the secretary’s performance and IT use in state government, with annual reports to the Governor, Legislature, and the public; a separate search committee will influence who becomes the secretary.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Office of Secretary of Information Technology as a cabinet-level position appointed by the Governor, not requiring legislative approval, with defined duties and authority.
• Repeals Sections 16-61D-1 to 16-61D-6, consolidating IT governance under the new Secretary and Office of Information Technology.
• Requires the Secretary to develop a four-year strategic IT plan, coordinate with the Alabama Supercomputer Authority and other entities, and present updates publicly to the Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee.
• Requires the Secretary to establish an inventory of IT resources, oversee a formal process for new IT initiatives, and manage funds appropriated to the office with budgeting under the Budget Management Act.
• Creates a Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology to review the Secretary’s operations, with specified legislative members and diversity considerations, meeting at least annually.
• Creates a Governor-appointed Search Committee to identify candidates for Secretary, with criteria including senior management experience and ability to work with multiple branches of government, and to forward a list of qualified candidates to the Governor.
• Exempts the Secretary from the Alabama Sunset Law, treating the office as a continuing state entity.
• Amends Section 41-4-221 to update the duties of the Division of Data Systems Management to reflect the new centralized IT structure.
• Effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Information Technology, Office of