SB219 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Information Technology Office, Information Services Division and State Business Systems Division of Dept. of Finance, transferred to, Secs. 41-28-1, 41-28-2, 41-28-3 am'd.

Summary

SB219 moves all state information technology functions from the Department of Finance to a new Office of Information Technology led by a Secretary of Information Technology, creating a cabinet-level CIO and centralizing IT services.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Office of Information Technology and the Secretary of Information Technology, who serves as the state CIO and policy advisor on IT. It abolishes the Information Services Division of the Department of Finance and transfers all powers, duties, records, and personnel to the new office, with implementation planned jointly by the Finance Director and the Secretary of IT. It allows the Department of Finance's Division of Purchasing to handle IT purchases for the new office and requires code updates to reflect the changes. It sets staffing limits (up to two deputy secretaries and up to six exempt IT professionals), requires the secretary to take an oath and post a bond, and ensures transferring employees maintain salary, benefits, and seniority.

Who It Affects

• Employees of the Information Services Division of the Department of Finance, who will transfer to the Office of Information Technology with no loss of salary, benefits, seniority, or Merit System status.
• Department of Finance, particularly its IT-related purchasing functions, which will now support joint purchasing for the Office of Information Technology.
• State agencies and the public, who will receive IT services and policy guidance from the centralized Office of Information Technology led by the Secretary of Information Technology.
• The Office of Information Technology itself, which will be the new cabinet-level IT agency with defined staffing and governance requirements.

Key Provisions

• Transfer of Information Services Division powers, duties, and staff from the Department of Finance to the Office of Information Technology, abolishing the ISD.
• Creation of the Office of Information Technology headed by the Secretary of Information Technology, a cabinet-level position and state CIO.
• Definitions and governance for the Office, including roles for the Secretary, the state agencies, and the permanent legislative oversight committee on information technology.
• Staffing provisions allowing up to two deputy secretaries and up to six exempt IT professionals; exemptions to Merit System rules and salary determinations by the secretary.
• Displaced state employees may be offered transfer opportunities to positions within the new Office of Information Technology.
• The Department of Finance, Division of Purchasing may enter into joint IT purchasing agreements and multi-vendor awards for the Office of Information Technology.
• Code references updated to reflect the new structure and responsibilities; the Code Commissioner to conform references accordingly.
• Effective date set for October 1, 2017, with implementation plan developed jointly by the Director of Finance and the Secretary of Information Technology.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Finance Department