The information management services division shall be headed by an administrator. Any person who has successfully completed a four-year program at an accredited four-year college or university and who has not less than four years total experience in information management services, of which not less than one year shall have been experience as the supervisor of an information management entity in government or private enterprise and not less than two years shall have been experience as a systems analyst or with principal responsibility for systems development or supervision, or both, may be appointed information management services administrator by the Chief Information Officer. Successful completion of training courses covering the functions, programming, operations, and systems development aspects of information management equipment may be accounted as experience in direct proportion to the number of weeks of course work completed. The rate of pay for the information management services administrator shall be fixed by the Chief Information Officer subject to availability of appropriations. The information management services administrator shall have the power to select and manage such staff and supervise the operation of such equipment as he or she may require.

No department, commission, board or agency of state government may spend any money beyond its budget allowance without specific authority from the Legislature.

The purpose of the information management services division is to provide centralized, coordinated, and efficient information management services to all state agencies and to prevent unnecessary duplication of information management operations and applications in state government.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, information management includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Mainframe computers, minicomputers, microprocessors, word processors, and desktop computers;

(b) Any peripheral device to be used with the equipment listed in subdivision (1)(a) of this section for such purposes as data input and output, data storage, or data communications;

(c) Any code or program to control the operation of the equipment or devices listed in subdivision (1)(a) or (1)(b) of this section; and

(d) Employment of professional expertise for computer system design, operations, or program development.

(2) Subject to review and approval by the Chief Information Officer, the information management services administrator shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

(a) He or she may review the accounting and other records and reporting systems of all divisions within the Department of Administrative Services and within every other department and agency of the state;

(b) He or she shall systematically review the potential application of information management to any work performed outside the information management services division or by any department or agency of the state or any subdivision of any department or agency of the state, and if the costs of mechanizing such work will not exceed present costs or if efficiencies may be achieved, he or she may accept responsibility for the performance of such work. He or she may also review computer applications being used to determine if revision or deletion of computer applications would be beneficial. The findings of reviews made pursuant to this subdivision shall be reported to the Governor and the Legislative Fiscal Analyst;

(c) He or she may, with the approval of the Chief Information Officer, make such revisions to internal systems for production of accounting and other reports as may be necessary to permit economical undertaking of work to be performed by the information management services division for any agency or department of the state;

(d) He or she shall organize the information management services division to provide system review, system design, feasibility studies, and machine reviews;

(e) He or she may review the operations of information management installations as may exist in any department or agency of the state and may cause such operations to be merged with those of the information management services division in the event that a cost analysis shows that economic advantage may be achieved. He or she may permit the establishment of departmental or agency information management operations in any department or agency of the state if his or her analysis of feasibility shows a potential economy or a substantial convenience for the state incident to such separate establishment. No state agency shall hire, purchase, lease, or rent any information management item listed in subsection (1) of this section without the written approval of the information management services administrator. All new computer programs developed or acquired for use with information management equipment of any state agency shall be documented according to standards developed or approved by the information management services administrator;

(f) He or she shall prepare a budget in sufficient time in advance of the statutory date for submittal of budget requests by departments and agencies of the state as to permit each department and agency for which services are performed, or are to be performed during the request budget period, to be informed of the cost of maintaining the current fiscal year's production work for inclusion within their respective budget requests;

(g) He or she shall provide for a system of charges for services rendered by the information management services division to any other department or agency of the state when these charges are allocable to a particular project carried on by such department or division. Such standard rate charges shall, as nearly as may be practical, reflect the actual costs incurred in the performance of services for such department or agency. Such system of charges shall be annually reviewed by the Legislature's Committee on Appropriations. Rates planned for the coming fiscal year shall be included in the instructions for completion of budget request forms as annually prepared by the Department of Administrative Services budget division. If rate revisions are required during the fiscal year to reflect changes in the information management services division's operating costs, these revisions shall be announced to state agencies at least thirty days prior to their use in billing these agencies for service. Miscellaneous supplies shall be billed to using agencies at actual cost. Equipment used primarily by one agency for special applications shall be billed to that agency at actual cost. In the event of saturation of the information management services division with the resulting need for contractual support to be furnished by another information management installation, agencies shall be billed at actual cost. The charges received by the department for information management services shall be credited to a fund hereby created which shall be known as the Information Management Revolving Fund. Expenditures shall be made from such fund to finance the operations of the information management services division in accordance with appropriations made by the Legislature. Any money in the Information Management Revolving Fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act;

(h) He or she may provide information management services and technical assistance to any subdivision of government as provided for under the Interlocal Cooperation Act or the Joint Public Agency Act;

(i) He or she shall provide for the centralization of all administrative work, including that of educational institutions, into the information management services division;

(j) He or she shall provide definitions of standards and common data elements, coordinate the collection of data, consolidate data files or data banks, and review and approve or disapprove the establishment of separate data banks; and

(k) He or she shall provide assistance as requested by the Nebraska Information Technology Commission to support the technical panel created in section 86-521.

Each member of the Legislature shall receive a copy of the report required by subdivision (2)(b) of this section by making a request for it to the administrator.

The Imprest Payroll Distributive Fund is created. The fund shall be used for the purpose of coordinating and expediting the payment of the salary and wages of the officers and employees of the various departments and agencies of the state. The fund shall be administered by the Accounting Administrator.

Each officer, agency, board, or commission of the state shall prepare its payroll in accordance with policies, procedures, and schedules established by the director.

The director may debit the appropriate programs and funds of each of the agencies, boards, and commissions of the state for the total amount of the payroll based upon the input provided by the agencies and credit the Imprest Payroll Distributive Fund with an identical amount. The director shall make payments from the Imprest Payroll Distributive Fund by warrant or by electronic funds transfer for the net amount of salaries or wages due each individual and to payroll-deduction vendors according to schedules established by the director. The director may make payments from the Imprest Payroll Distributive Fund to the federal government if required by federal regulations for the federal share of retirement accounts for terminating employees pursuant to section 84-1321. Payroll records provided by the director shall disclose all expenditures and payroll deductions attributable to each payroll.

(1) Neither the information management services administrator, the Chief Information Officer, nor any employee of such administrator or officer shall release or permit the release of any data maintained in computer files to any person or persons without the express written approval of both the agency primarily responsible for collection and maintenance of such data and the employee to whom such data pertains, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Any data which is a public record in its original form shall remain a public record when maintained in computer files and shall be provided to the Legislative Fiscal Analyst pursuant to section 50-420 and shall be made available to the Auditor of Public Accounts solely for use in the performance of audits prescribed by law.

Any public official or employee who shall violate the provisions of section 81-1117.02 shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor and shall be subject to removal from office or discharge in the discretion of the Governor or agency head as appropriate.

Except as otherwise provided by law, public records shall mean all papers, correspondence, memoranda, accounts, reports, maps, plans, photographs, sound recordings, or other documents, regardless of physical form, including records produced by or for use with electronic or mechanical data processing devices, and which have been or shall be created or received by any agency or its lawful successor or official thereof in the exercise of his office or in the conduct, transaction, or performance of any business, duty, or function pursued in accordance with law, but shall not include library or museum material made or acquired and preserved solely for reference purposes, extra copies of documents preserved only for convenience or reference, and stock of publications and reproduced documents.

The Department of Administrative Services may pay wages to state employees by electronic funds transfer or a similar means of direct deposit if the state employee has consented in writing or electronically to this manner of payment. The department may not require a state employee to use electronic funds transfer or a similar means of direct deposit for payment of wages. For purposes of this section, state employee means any person or officer employed by the state who works a full-time or part-time schedule on an ongoing basis.

The Legislature hereby declares that an efficient and reliable communications system is vital to the state during the conduct of regular business of the state and in times of emergency and that substantial economies can be effected by joint use of a consolidated communications system by departments, agencies, and subdivisions of state government. It is, therefor, declared to be the purpose of sections 23-1715, 81-1108.02, 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.03, 81-1120.15 to 81-1120.28, and 81-1423 and the policy of the state to provide for the continual development of an efficient and reliable communications system for joint use by departments, agencies, and subdivisions of state government, to effect maximum practical consolidation and joint use of existing communications facilities and services owned or used by the state, and generally to coordinate all communications functions and activities of state government.

As used in sections 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.28, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Director means the Director of Communications;

(2) Division means the division of communications of the office of Chief Information Officer;

(3) Communications system means the total communications facilities and equipment owned, leased, or used by all departments, agencies, and subdivisions of state government; and

(4) Communications means any transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, writing, images, and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems.

There is hereby created, within the office of Chief Information Officer, a division of communications to be headed by the Director of Communications. The Chief Information Officer shall appoint as Director of Communications any person who has not less than six years' experience in a position or positions which include responsibility for management, purchase, lease, or control of communications for a private or governmental enterprise. No person shall hold the position of director who is directly or indirectly interested in any communications common carrier or other company engaged in the furnishing of communications services or facilities, but investment in stock of a communications common carrier in an amount determined by the Chief Information Officer to be not significant shall not be considered disqualifying.

The Director of Communications shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

(1) To provide the Legislature and the Governor technical assistance, advice, and information concerning the financial and administrative operations of the communications systems of all agencies of the state;

(2) To provide the Legislature and the Governor recommendations for dealing with financial, management, and organizational problems affecting the communications systems and services of the state, its departments and agencies;

(3) To make inquiries of the agencies as to their communications charges and prepare cost comparisons to insure that uniformity, efficiency, and equality be achieved within the communications system;

(4) To make recommendations to the agencies pertaining to revisions to internal systems as may be necessary to promote frugality and economy in the communications system; and

(5) To provide services such as system review, system design, feasibility studies, equipment reviews, and for long-range planning and management service within the division of communications.

It shall be the duty of the director to consult each department, office, board, bureau, commission, or institution in the state for which money is to be appropriated and expended for communications services, equipment, or facilities, including the executive and judicial departments, state colleges, university, and state institutions. The director shall make or cause to be made under his or her supervision an investigation to determine whether the appropriations are being judiciously and economically expended for the purposes for which they were made and shall transmit to the Governor, the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, and the expending agency a complete report of each such investigation. In making such investigations he or she shall, at all reasonable times, have access to the offices of all state departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, and institutions and may, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the operation and communications needs thereof, examine the books, papers, and public records therein, and the agencies shall, through their proper officers, furnish such data, information, or statements as may be requested of them.

The division of communications shall have the following duties, powers, and responsibilities:

(1) To coordinate the purchase, lease, and use of communications services equipment and facilities for state government;

(2) To advise departments and agencies of the state and political subdivisions thereof as to systems or methods to be used to meet requirements efficiently and effectively;

(3) To provide assistance as requested by the Nebraska Information Technology Commission to support the technical panel created in section 86-521;

(4) To consolidate and integrate radio communications systems and services of state agencies so far as practical and to provide for their joint use by the agencies;

(5) To consolidate telephone and telephone-related activities, so far as practical, and to provide for their joint use by the agencies;

(6) To assume management responsibility for any consolidated system or service and approve all purchases and contracts for such communications activities;

(7) To enter into agreements for the mutual support and use of communications services of the agencies and departments of state government and its political subdivisions;

(8) To provide for the rendering of mutual aid between state government and its political subdivisions and to cooperate with other states and the federal government with respect to the organizing of communications in expediting the carrying out of mutual aid in disasters, emergencies, and civil defense emergencies under the Emergency Management Act;

(9) To use or acquire communications facilities now owned or operated by any state agency and to compensate such agency when appropriate;

(10) To standardize policies and procedures for the use of such services in such a manner that communications systems in the domain of public safety or security not be compromised;

(11) To assume responsibility for the maintenance and repair of state-owned communications facilities so far as practical;

(12) To coordinate and consolidate maintenance and repair procedures and facilities so far as possible in the light of good business practice and the requirements of the agencies and departments concerned;

(13) Subject to the conditions provided in section 81-1120.19, to contract with qualified suppliers and communications common carriers for communications facilities or services, including private-line services;

(14) To apply for, receive, coordinate, and hold or, if appropriate, assist agencies in applying for, receiving, or holding such authorizations, licenses, and allocations of channels and frequencies as are necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.03 and 81-1120.15 to 81-1120.28;

(15) To acquire real estate, equipment, and other property as an agency of the state, subject to the provisions of section 81-1120.19;

(16) To cooperate with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency as to its needs for emergency communications services; and

(17) To insure that communications facilities are not used for any purpose which is contrary to the policy and intent of sections 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.03 and 81-1120.15 to 81-1120.28 or contrary to the laws and agreements under which the facilities are to be utilized.

The division of communications may form temporary advisory boards to provide advice in the development, management, administration, and operation of a consolidated communications system to meet the communications requirements of all departments and agencies of state government. Board members shall be selected by the division and shall receive no compensation for duties performed as members of a board, but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred while engaged in the performance of their duties under the provisions of sections 23-1715, 81-1108.02, 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.03, 81-1120.15 to 81-1120.28, and 81-1423 as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177 for state employees.

The division shall have authority to purchase or lease communications facilities, services, or channels on terms which are for the best interests of the State of Nebraska. In making the decision as to what proposal is for the best interests of the state, the decision of the division shall be based upon, but not necessarily limited to, (1) the total cost to the state, computed in accordance with accepted governmental cost-accounting procedures taking into account taxes to be paid or foregone, interest rates, and obsolescence; (2) the quality of the service offered; (3) the comprehensiveness of the proposed facilities or plan; (4) the financial responsibility of the supplier or carrier submitting the proposal; (5) the repair and maintenance capabilities of the supplier or carrier; (6) the experience as a communications carrier or supplier, as applicable; and (7) the alternate methods or facilities available. The powers conferred by this section shall be subject to the condition that, except for existing state-owned facilities, the division shall obtain all telecommunications service as defined in section 86-121 from telecommunications carriers that are certificated or permitted by, or registered with, the Public Service Commission for any area in which such services are rendered. Any purchase or lease, except from such telecommunications carriers, made by the division shall be made through the materiel division of the Department of Administrative Services pursuant to the functions, powers, and duties of such division.

Personnel of all departments, offices, and agencies of state government shall cooperate and assist to the maximum extent possible in the consolidation, redistribution, and joint use of communications systems and services used by and under the direction of such departments or agencies and shall coordinate all communications services or facilities procurement through the Director of Communications.

The Director of Communications shall develop a system of equitable billings and charges for communications services provided in any consolidated or joint-use system of communications. Such system of charges shall reflect, as nearly as may be practical, the actual share of costs incurred on behalf of or for services to each department, agency, or political subdivision provided services from the communications system. Using agencies shall pay for such services out of appropriated or available funds. All payments shall be credited to the Communications Cash Fund. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act. All collections for payment of telephone expenses shall be credited to the Telephone Expense Revolving Fund which is hereby created. Expenditures shall be made from the Telephone Expense Revolving Fund for the payment of telephone expenses subject to appropriations by the Legislature. Such payment shall be made by the Director of Communications.

There is hereby established a cash fund to be known as the Communications Cash Fund. Appropriations made to the division of communications of the office of Chief Information Officer for the purposes of sections 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.28 shall be credited to the fund. All funds received under such sections and all funds received for communications services provided to any agency, department, or other user shall be credited to the fund. The division shall, under policies and procedures established by the director, expend funds from time to time credited to the fund for the communications purposes enumerated in such sections. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

Sections 23-1715, 81-1108.02, 81-1120.01 to 81-1120.03, 81-1120.15 to 81-1120.28, and 81-1423 shall not apply to the Nebraska educational television network except for such services or assistance as may be mutually beneficial and agreed upon by and between the division of communications and the Nebraska Educational Television Commission. Under conditions of emergency declared by the Governor, the communications resources of the Nebraska educational television network shall be coordinated with the communications system, as directed by the Governor, so as to provide full use of available services in the rendering of public assistance and providing aid and protection to life and property.

In the event of an emergency, the Governor may direct the assumption of control over all or part of the communications system pursuant to the Emergency Management Act.

The Director of Communications is hereby authorized to receive gifts, contributions, property and equipment from public or private sources to be utilized in providing communications services, and to participate with the federal government in carrying out programs for communications services within the State of Nebraska. Whenever the federal government or any agency or officer thereof shall offer to the state, or through the state to any political subdivision thereof, communications services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds by way of gift, grant, or loan for purposes of communications system objectives, the state, acting through the Governor, or such political subdivision, acting with the consent of the Governor and through its executive officer or governing body, may accept such offer and upon such acceptance the Governor or executive officer or governing body of such political subdivision may authorize any officer of the state or such political subdivision to receive such services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds on behalf of the state or such political subdivision, and subject to the terms of the offer and rules and regulations, if any, of the agency making the offer.

(1) The facilities of the state's telecommunications systems are provided for the conduct of state business. In addition, the state's telecommunications systems may be used by state employees and officials for local calls and long-distance calls to children at home, teachers, doctors, day care centers, and baby-sitters, to family members to inform them of unexpected schedule changes, and for other essential personal business. The use of the state's telecommunications systems for essential personal business shall be kept to a minimum and shall not interfere with the conduct of state business. Essential personal long-distance calls shall be either collect, charged to a third-party, nonstate number, or charged to a personal credit card.

(2) A member of the Legislature, while engaged in legislative business, may make personal long-distance calls on the state telecommunications system or by using his or her state credit card. At the end of every month upon the member's receipt of his or her long-distance call record, the personal long-distance calls shall be designated by the member and the member billed for such calls. Reimbursement to the state for such personal long-distance calls by the member shall be made within thirty days from the date of designation.

(3) A member of the Legislature, at his or her own sole discretion, may designate any long-distance call as sensitive or confidential in nature. If a long-distance call is designated as sensitive or confidential in nature, any long-distance call record used in an audit shall contain only the date the long-distance call was made and the cost of the call. In no case shall the person conducting the audit have access to a long-distance call number designated as sensitive or confidential in nature by the member without the written consent of the member. No calls made to or by a member of the Legislature which are sensitive or confidential in nature shall be required to be disclosed except that such calls shall be so designated by the member, and only the amount of the call and such designation shall be made available to a person conducting an audit.

For purposes of this subsection, sensitive or confidential in nature shall mean that either the member of the Legislature or the caller would reasonably expect that the nature or the content of the call would not be disclosed to another person without the consent of the member and the caller.

The communications system and the director shall not function as a public information or news agency. Communications transmitted on or through the communications system shall be the privileged information of the sender and receiver; PROVIDED, that this shall not prohibit the sender or receiver from releasing to others or to the public such information; AND PROVIDED FURTHER, that in the event of an emergency, the Governor shall have the power to direct release of such information as he deems in the best interests of the state.

Public Safety Communications

Sections 86-401 to 86-418.01 shall be known and may be cited as the Nebraska Public Safety Communication System Act.

The Legislature finds that:

(1) During emergencies the resources of the state and its political subdivisions must be effectively directed to save lives, to protect property, and to meet the needs of its citizens;

(2) Public safety agencies fulfill this unique and essential role;

(3) Public safety agencies are only as effective as their ability to communicate. To adequately ensure public safety, such agencies require efficient, reliable communication systems which account for their unique role and the specialized needs that accompany such role;

(4) There are presently radio communication systems used by public safety agencies during daily operations and emergencies that are deficient. Many of Nebraska's systems rely on inadequate equipment, are susceptible to communication interference, have limited coverage areas, operate under the constraints of a limited number of radio frequency channels, and lack coordination and the ability to interoperate among city, county, and other local users, state users, and federal users. Additionally, such systems presently do not allow for secure transmissions which are necessary for the protection and integrity of public safety communications;

(5) Recent changes and advances in communication technology would increase the capability of public safety agencies to provide efficient and effective public safety services;

(6) Investment in the public safety communication infrastructure is required to ensure the effectiveness of Nebraska's public safety agencies;

(7) Regional approaches to communications planning and preparedness and the adoption of regional response structures should be used to develop and sustain interoperable communications. Local and state public safety agencies shall develop a comprehensive interoperable communications plan before receiving any state or federal funding to build, upgrade, enhance, or replace communication systems; and

(8) A network of regional communication systems should balance the need for multiple simultaneous users while maintaining autonomy for the internal use of individual agencies. The objectives of such a network should include maximizing resources and reducing duplication among public safety agencies as well as encouraging cooperation, coordination, consolidation, sharing, and partnerships between public agencies and private entities.

For purposes of the Nebraska Public Safety Communication System Act, the definitions found in sections 86-407 and 86-408 apply.

Division means the division of communications of the office of Chief Information Officer.

Public safety agency means any federal, state, or political subdivision entity which provides emergency and public safety services, including medical services, law enforcement services, fire management services, correctional services, and emergency and disaster relief services.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of Nebraska law, any city, county, village, public power district, or fire protection district may enter into a service agreement with any joint entity created pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or any joint public agency created pursuant to the Joint Public Agency Act which owns or operates or proposes to own or operate any public safety communication project for obtaining communication services, including the use or right to use real or personal property included in any such project. This subsection shall not be construed to authorize any service agreements that conflict with the provisions for the sale or lease of dark fiber pursuant to sections 86-574 to 86-578.

(2) Any such service agreement may provide for the following:

(a) The payment of fixed or variable periodic amounts for service or the right to obtain service, including the use or right to use real or personal property;

(b) That such service agreement may extend for a term of years as determined by the governing body of the city, county, village, public power district, or fire protection district and be binding upon such city, county, village, public power district, or fire protection district over such term of years;

(c) That fixed or variable periodic amounts payable may be determined based upon any of the following factors:

(i) Operating, maintenance, and management expenses, including renewals and replacements for facilities and equipment;

(ii) Amounts payable with respect to debt service on bonds or other obligations, including margins of coverage if deemed appropriate; and

(iii) Amounts necessary to build or maintain operating reserves, capital reserves, and debt service reserves;

(d) That any such service agreement may require payment to be made in the agreed fixed or variable periodic amounts irrespective of whether such public safety communication project or regional communication system is completed or operational and notwithstanding any suspension, interruption, interference, reduction, or curtailment of the services of such project or system; and

(e) Such other provisions as the parties to the service agreement deem appropriate in connection with providing and obtaining public safety communication service, including the acquisition of real and personal property, the construction of facilities, and the operation, maintenance, and management of services, property, and facilities.

(3) In order to provide for the payments due under such service agreement:

(a) Any city, county, village, or fire protection district may provide that payments may be made from a special tax levied for such purpose upon all taxable property within such city, county, village, or fire protection district, if determined appropriate by the governing body by a vote of three-fourths of the members of the governing body, if there are four or more members of such body, or by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the governing body, if there are less than four members of such body. The special tax shall for all purposes of Nebraska law, including limitations upon tax levies, budgets, revenue, and expenditures of public funds, have the same status as a tax levied for the purpose of paying the bonded indebtedness of such city, county, village, or fire protection district; and

(b) Any public power district may pledge the revenue of the district, subject to any existing pledges made for bonded indebtedness or borrowings from the United States or any other party and existing conditions relating to issuance of additional bonds or other indebtedness, and, if deemed appropriate by the governing body, the service agreement may have the status of revenue bond indebtedness issued pursuant to sections 70-631 to 70-635.

The division shall develop and adopt technical and operational standards for any communication system acquired, developed, constructed, or replaced by any state agency or any city, county, village, public power district, fire protection district, or other political subdivision, including joint entities and joint public agencies created pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or Joint Public Agency Act. The division shall develop incentives to encourage regional cooperation in public safety communication throughout the state. The division shall assist local communities and public safety agencies which desire to connect with a network of regional communication systems. Incentive alternatives may include financial incentives to encourage migration by communities to the network and to reward communities which coordinate efforts to form public safety communication centers. Such incentives shall not mandate migration by public safety agencies to the network.

(1) The Regional Interoperability Advisory Board is created. The board shall provide advice to the division regarding the formation, expansion, and enhancement of regional communication systems to achieve interoperability. For administrative and budgetary purposes, the board shall be within the division. The division shall provide office space, equipment, technical assistance, and staff support for the board.

(2) The advisory board shall consist of the following members, all of whom shall be individuals with knowledge of the communications needs of their represented constituency:

(a) A representative of the division;

(b) A representative of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency; and

(c) Four representatives of regional communication systems.

(3) The members of the advisory board shall be appointed by the Governor. Each member's term shall be for two years from the date of appointment. Members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

(4) The advisory board shall terminate on January 1, 2009.

Sections 86-501 to 86-530 shall be known and may be cited as the Information Technology Infrastructure Act.

For purposes of the Information Technology Infrastructure Act, the definitions found in sections 86-503 to 86-511 apply.

Commission means the Nebraska Information Technology Commission.

Department means the Department of Administrative Services.

Enterprise means the entirety of all departments, offices, boards, bureaus, commissions, or institutions in the state for which money is to be appropriated for communications or data processing services, equipment, or facilities, including all executive, legislative, and judicial departments, the Nebraska state colleges, the University of Nebraska, and all other state institutions and entities.

Enterprise project means an endeavor undertaken over a fixed period of time using information technology, which would have a significant effect on a core business function or affects multiple government programs, agencies, or institutions. Enterprise project includes all aspects of planning, design, implementation, project management, and training relating to the endeavor.

Information technology means computing and telecommunications systems and their supporting infrastructure and interconnectivity used to acquire, transport, process, analyze, store, and disseminate information electronically.

Information technology clearinghouse means a service to provide convenient access for the commission and general public to information about best technology practices, referrals for technical assistance, and other information related to the Information Technology Infrastructure Act.

Information technology infrastructure means the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of information technology.

Statewide technology plan means the plan developed by the commission pursuant to section 86-516.

Technical panel means the panel created in section 86-521.

Nebraskans, and others throughout the world, have become part of the information age, in which information is a primary element of economic, social, and cultural growth. The ability to move information quickly and accurately through electronic means is critical to the success of education, business, agriculture, health care, government, libraries, communities, and other areas of interest in a global society. A statewide vision and strategy is needed to ensure coordinated development of the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for Nebraska to keep pace worldwide and collaboration among entities within the state and with other states.

(1) The Legislature finds that appropriations for information technology continue to increase. Advances in information technology have the potential to improve government efficiency, broaden educational opportunities, and enhance services to Nebraska communities and citizens. To assure the most cost-effective use of state appropriations:

(a) Responsibility should be assigned for developing a statewide vision and strategic plan to guide investments in information technology;

(b) Organizational and technical support for technology budget decisions should be improved and integrated;

(c) A clearinghouse should be formed for technical support and best practices information; and

(d) Responsibility should be assigned to an office within state government for improving the planning, budgeting, and management of state government's information resources.

(2) It is the intent of the State of Nebraska to support the development of a unified statewide telecommunications infrastructure. The statewide telecommunications infrastructure will be scalable, reliable, and efficient. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the provisions of sections 86-512 to 86-524 serve to coordinate the state's investments in information technology in an efficient and expeditious manner. The provisions are not intended to impede the rapid deployment of appropriate technology or establish cumbersome regulations or bureaucracy.

(1) The Legislature finds that the University of Nebraska, as the state's only public university, has unique needs and requirements in the area of information technology relating to the university's academic research mission. Accordingly, the Legislature intends that sections 86-512 to 86-524 shall not limit the authority of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska to make decisions about policies, purchases, and uses of information technology related to its academic research mission. For purposes of this section, academic research mission means those specific activities or programs of the university which are undertaken as a part of sponsored or grant-supported activities, organized research projects, or other similar activities intended to produce one or more research outcomes and conducted by employees of the university or other entities, including, but not limited to, research divisions, bureaus, institutes, and experimental stations. Academic research mission does not include the administrative activities of the university, instruction of students, or services provided by the university to communities when not conducted in the context of research outcomes.

(2) The Legislature finds that, as a separate branch of government, the Legislature must perform its functions independently of other branches. Accordingly, the Legislature shall not be limited by the provisions and requirements of sections 86-512 to 86-524. However the Legislature reserves the right to use the resources established by such sections.

(1) The Nebraska Information Technology Commission is created. The commission shall consist of (a) one member representing elementary and secondary education, (b) one member representing postsecondary education, (c) the Governor or his or her designee, (d) one member representing communities, and (e) five members representing the general public who have experience in developing strategic plans and making high-level business decisions. At any time that there is not a member of the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council serving on the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, the technical panel established pursuant to section 86-521, or any working groups established pursuant to sections 86-512 to 86-524 that establish, coordinate, or prioritize needs for education, the Governor shall appoint to the commission one member who serves on the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council.

(2) The Governor or a designee of the Governor shall serve as chairperson of the commission.

(3) The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor with the approval of a majority of the Legislature. Members of the commission shall serve for terms of four years, except that two members initially appointed to represent the general public shall be appointed for a term of two years and any member appointed to represent the Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council shall be appointed for a term of one year. Members shall be limited to two consecutive terms. The Governor or his or her designee shall serve on the commission for his or her term. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor. In case of a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term of a member, the appointment shall be made only for the remainder of the term.

(4) Members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

(5) The commission may employ or designate an executive director to provide administrative and operational support for the commission. The Department of Administrative Services and Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission shall assist with administrative and operational support for the Nebraska Information Technology Commission as necessary to carry out its duties.

The commission shall:

(1) Annually by July 1, adopt policies and procedures used to develop, review, and annually update a statewide technology plan;

(2) Create an information technology clearinghouse to identify and share best practices and new developments, as well as identify existing problems and deficiencies;

(3) Review and adopt policies to provide incentives for investments in information technology infrastructure services;

(4) Determine a broad strategy and objectives for developing and sustaining information technology development in Nebraska, including long-range funding strategies, research and development investment, support and maintenance requirements, and system usage and assessment guidelines;

(5) Adopt guidelines regarding project planning and management and administrative and technical review procedures involving state-owned or state-supported technology and infrastructure. Governmental entities, state agencies, and political subdivisions shall submit all projects which use any combination of general funds, federal funds, or cash funds for information technology purposes to the process established by sections 86-512 to 86-524. The commission may adopt policies that establish the format and minimum requirements for project submissions. The commission may monitor the progress of any such project and may require progress reports;

(6) Adopt minimum technical standards, guidelines, and architectures upon recommendation by the technical panel;

(7) Establish ad hoc technical advisory groups to study and make recommendations on specific topics, including workgroups to establish, coordinate, and prioritize needs for education, local communities, intergovernmental data communications, and state agencies;

(8) By November 15 of each even-numbered year, make recommendations on technology investments to the Governor and the Legislature, including a prioritized list of projects, reviewed by the technical panel pursuant to section 86-521;

(9) Approve grants from the Community Technology Fund and Government Technology Collaboration Fund;

(10) Adopt schedules and procedures for reporting needs, priorities, and recommended projects;

(11) Assist the Chief Information Officer in developing and maintaining Network Nebraska pursuant to section 86-5,100; and

(12) Determine the format that state agencies, boards, and commissions shall use to report their information technology plans under section 86-524.01. The commission shall include an analysis of such plans in the statewide technology plan.

The commission shall implement sections 86-512 to 86-524 in accordance with the policy objectives described in sections 86-512, 86-513, and 86-516 and with the following goals:

(1) Expanding access to lifelong educational and training opportunities so that Nebraska's citizens and work force can function in the emerging information society;

(2) Stimulating and supporting information-based economic development that improves economic opportunity; and

(3) Expanding citizen access to government information.

By November 15 of each even-numbered year, the Nebraska Information Technology Commission shall submit a progress report to the Governor and Legislature.

The office of Chief Information Officer is created. The Chief Information Officer shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor with the approval of a majority of the Legislature. For administrative and budgetary purposes, the office of Chief Information Officer shall be located in the Department of Administrative Services which shall provide necessary support services for the office. All administrative and budgetary decisions for the office shall be made by the Chief Information Officer.

The Chief Information Officer shall:

(1) Maintain, in cooperation with the Department of Administrative Services, an inventory of noneducation state government technology assets, including hardware, applications, and data bases;

(2) Recommend policies and guidelines for acceptable and cost-effective use of information technology in noneducation state government;

(3) Advise the Governor and Legislature on policy issues affecting noneducation state government related to information technology;

(4) Coordinate efforts among other noneducation state government technology agencies and coordinating bodies;

(5) Implement a strategic, tactical, and project planning process for noneducation state government information technology that is linked to the budget process;

(6) Assist the budget division of the Department of Administrative Services and Legislative Fiscal Analyst in evaluating technology-related budget requests;

(7) Work with each governmental department and noneducation state agency to evaluate and act upon opportunities to more efficiently and effectively deliver government services through the use of information technology;

(8) Recommend to the Governor and Legislature methods for improving the organization and management of data by noneducation agencies to achieve the goals of making information sharable and reusable, eliminating redundancy of data and programs, improving the quality and usefulness of data, and improving access to data, and implement such recommendations as the Governor or Legislature may direct;

(9) Monitor the status of major noneducation state government technology projects;

(10) Establish and maintain Network Nebraska pursuant to section 86-5,100;

(11) Bid for telecomputing and distance education equipment pursuant to section 79-1233;

(12) Apply in aggregate for reimbursements from the federal Universal Service Fund pursuant to section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. 254, as such section existed on January 1, 2006, on behalf of school districts requesting to be included in such aggregated application;

(13) Administer such funds as may be appropriated to the Chief Information Officer by the Legislature;

(14) Monitor the status of information technology projects that are enterprise projects;

(15) Collect information from state agencies, boards, and commissions as provided in section 86-524.01; and

(16) Complete other tasks as assigned by the Governor.

(1) A technical panel is created. The technical panel shall be comprised of one representative from the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission, one representative from the office of Chief Information Officer, one representative from the University of Nebraska Computing Services Network, and such other members as specified by the Nebraska Information Technology Commission.

(2) The technical panel shall review any technology project presented to the Nebraska Information Technology Commission including any recommendations by working groups established under sections 86-512 to 86-524. Upon the conclusion of the review of a technology project or request for additional funding, the technical panel shall provide its analysis to the commission. The technical panel may recommend technical standards and guidelines to be considered for adoption by the commission.

The Community Technology Fund is created. The fund shall be granted to public entities or for the public entity's share of public-private partnerships by the commission. The fund shall be used to provide incentives for collaborative community and regional approaches toward more effective and efficient use of technology to meet the needs of citizens, political subdivisions, and other entities as determined by the commission. Expenditures from the fund shall be approved by the commission only after review by the technical panel. The fund shall be administered by the office of Chief Information Officer. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

The Government Technology Collaboration Fund is created. The fund shall be granted by the commission. The fund shall be used to provide incentives for collaborative technology projects and programs by state agencies, boards, and commissions and to assist in meeting the technology needs of small agencies as determined by the commission. Expenditures from the fund shall be approved by the commission only after review by the technical panel. The fund shall be administered by the office of Chief Information Officer. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(1) The Appropriations Committee and the Transportation Committee of the Legislature shall jointly review sections 86-512 to 86-524 before January 1, 2001, and every two years thereafter. The Executive Board of the Legislative Council shall designate staff with appropriate technical experience to provide the staff support for the review. The committees shall establish criteria to be used for the review in accordance with the following policy objectives. It shall be the policy of the state to:

(a) Use information technology in education, communities, including health care and economic development, and every level of government service to improve economic opportunities and quality of life for all Nebraskans regardless of location or income;

(b) Stimulate the demand to encourage and enable long-term infrastructure innovation and improvement; and

(c) Organize technology planning in new ways to aggregate demand, reduce costs, and create support networks; encourage collaboration between communities of interest; and encourage competition among technology and service providers.

(2) In the review, the committees shall determine the extent to which:

(a) The vision has been realized and short-term and long-term strategies have been articulated and employed;

(b) The statewide technology plan and other activities of the commission have improved coordination and assisted policymakers;

(c) An information technology clearinghouse has been established, maintained, and utilized of Nebraska's information technology infrastructure and of activities taking place in the state involving information technology, and the information flow between and among individuals and organizations has been facilitated as a result of the information technology clearinghouse;

(d) Policies, standards, guidelines, and architectures have been developed and observed;

(e) Recommendations made by the commission to the Governor and Legislature have assisted policy and funding decisions;

(f) Input and involvement of all interested parties has been encouraged and facilitated; and

(g) Long-term infrastructure innovation, improvement, and coordination has been planned for, facilitated, and achieved with minimal barriers and impediments.

On or before September 15 of each even-numbered year, all state agencies, boards, and commissions shall report to the Chief Information Officer, in a format determined by the commission, an information technology plan that includes an accounting of all technology assets, including planned acquisitions and upgrades.

In addition to the findings in section 86-513, the Legislature also finds that:

(1) The effective, efficient, and cost-effective operation of state government requires that information be considered and managed as a strategic resource;

(2) Information technologies present numerous opportunities to more effectively manage the information necessary for state government operations;

(3) Information technologies are changing and advancing at a very rapid rate, increasing the computing power available to individual users;

(4) The commission should have the responsibility to establish goals, guidelines, and priorities for information technology infrastructure; and

(5) Periodic investments in the information technology infrastructure are required to develop and maintain the foundation for the effective use of information technologies throughout state government.

The commission shall determine which proposed information technology projects are enterprise projects. The commission shall create policies and procedures for the designation of such projects. The commission shall evaluate designated enterprise project plans as authorized in section 86-528.

The Information Technology Infrastructure Fund is hereby created. The fund shall contain revenue from the special privilege tax as provided in section 77-2602, gifts, grants, and such other money as is appropriated or transferred by the Legislature. The fund shall be used to attain the goals and priorities identified in the statewide technology plan. The fund shall be administered by the office of Chief Information Officer. Expenditures shall be made from the fund to finance the operations of the Information Technology Infrastructure Act in accordance with the appropriations made by the Legislature. Transfers from the fund to the General Fund may be made at the direction of the Legislature. Any money in the Information Technology Infrastructure Fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(1) The Legislature may allocate money from the Information Technology Infrastructure Fund for enterprise projects. The Legislature may recognize multiple-year commitments for large projects, subject to available appropriations, including remaining obligations for the century date change project managed by the department.

(2) No contract or expenditure for the implementation of an enterprise project may be initiated unless the commission has approved a project plan. The project plan shall include, but not be limited to, the objectives, scope, and justification of the project; detailed specifications and analyses that guide the project from beginning to conclusion; technical requirements; and project management. The commission may request clarification, require changes, or provide conditional approval of a project plan. In its review, the commission shall determine whether the objectives, scope, timeframe, and budget of the project are consistent with the proposal authorized by the Legislature in its allocation from the fund.

(3) The commission may also evaluate whether the project plan is consistent with the statewide technology plan and the commission's technical standards and guidelines.

To implement enterprise projects pursuant to sections 86-525 to 86-530, the commission shall:

(1) Develop procedures and issue guidelines regarding the review, approval, and monitoring of enterprise projects; and

(2) Coordinate with the Chief Information Officer to monitor the status of enterprise projects, including a complete accounting of all project costs by fund source.

The Chief Information Officer shall report annually to the Governor and the Appropriations Committee of the Legislature on the status of enterprise projects.

Sections 86-550 to 86-568 shall be known and may be cited as the Intergovernmental Data Services Program Act.

The intergovernmental data services program is created and shall be located within the information management services division of the office of Chief Information Officer.

For purposes of the Intergovernmental Data Services Program Act, the definitions found in sections 86-554 to 86-561 apply.

Application means a computer program that provides a specific service to the user. Application includes the applications specified in Laws 1989, LB 814, section 54, and all applications of statewide or intergovernmental benefit subject to the review set forth in subdivision (2)(a) of section 86-563.

Office means the office of Chief Information Officer.

Officer means the Chief Information Officer.

Division means the information management services division of the office.

Intergovernmental data services system means the installation and use of applications on a computer network that allows for the intergovernmental transfer of data, automation of multijurisdictional functions, and integration of governmental entities that involve multiple locations separated by long distances. Intergovernmental data services system includes computers that serve as platforms for statewide applications, cabling, other equipment essential to operating the computers, and operating programs that allow the computers to function. Intergovernmental data services system does not include any applications.

Local application means a computer program intended for use at the local government or state agency level, not of intergovernmental use, serving only limited local needs and proposed to be resident on only a limited part of the system.

Peripheral device means equipment that connects to the system to allow local use and access to applications on the system. Peripheral device includes, but is not limited to, microprocessors, word processors, desktop computers, terminals, and printers.

System means the intergovernmental data services system.

The purpose of the system is to allow for the efficient operation of state government and its political subdivisions. In managing and allocating resources on the system, the officer shall assign first priority to providing capacity for statewide applications that are essential to carrying out the duties of state agencies in an efficient and effective manner. The system may also serve local data processing needs of political subdivisions, provide citizens with a point of access to governmental services and information, and serve other state and local needs, subject to available resources.

In establishing and maintaining the system:

(1) The division:

(a) Shall provide the computer network and services for the system with assistance from the division of communications of the office;

(b) Shall, within available resources, assist local, state, and federal collaborative efforts to encourage coordination of information systems and data sharing;

(c) Shall coordinate its activities and responsibilities with the functions of the division of communications to minimize overlap and duplication of technical services between the divisions in supporting the system, its applications, and application development; and

(d) May undertake and coordinate planning studies to determine the feasibility, benefits, costs, requirements, and options for the intergovernmental transfer of data;

(2) The officer:

(a) Shall approve and coordinate the design, development, installation, training, and maintenance of applications by state agencies for use on the system. Any agency proposing to add an application to the system shall submit an evaluation to the officer that examines the cost-effectiveness, technical feasibility, and potential use of the proposed application; that identifies the total costs of the application, including design, development, testing, installation, operation, and any changes to the computer network that are necessary for its operation; and that provides a schedule that shows the estimated completion dates for design, development, testing, installation, training, and full operational status. The officer shall not approve an application by a state agency for use on the system unless his or her review shows that the application is cost effective and technically feasible, that funding is available, and that the proposed schedule is reasonable and feasible;

(b) Shall approve changes in the design of applications by state agencies for use on the system. The officer may require such information from the agency as necessary to determine that the proposed change in design is cost effective and technically feasible, that funding is available, and that the proposed schedule for implementation is reasonable and feasible;

(c) May contract with other governmental entities or private vendors in carrying out the duties relating to the intergovernmental data services program;

(d) Shall establish a rate schedule that reflects the rates adopted by the division of communications and the information management services division, plus any additional costs of the system. Such fees may reflect a base cost for access to the system, costs for actual usage of the system, costs for special equipment or services, or a combination of these factors. The officer may charge for the costs of changes to the system that are requested by or are necessary to accommodate a request by a user. All fees shall be set to recover all costs of operation;

(e) May enter into agreements with other state and local governments, the federal government, or private-sector entities for the purpose of sale, lease, or licensing for third-party resale of applications and system design. Proceeds from such agreements shall be deposited to the Data Systems Cash Fund;

(f) Shall determine whether a local application shall be a component of the system. No local application shall be resident or operational in any component of the system without explicit authorization of the officer; and

(g) Shall approve or disapprove the attachment of any peripheral device to the system and may prescribe standards and specifications that such devices must meet;

(3) The officer shall be responsible for the proper operation of the system, applications, and peripheral devices purchased or developed by the expenditure of state funds. The ownership of such system, applications, and peripheral devices shall be vested with the state; and

(4) All communications and telecommunications services for the intergovernmental data services program and the system shall be secured from the division of communications.

(1) The officer shall submit as part of the biennial budget request of the office a listing of all applications submitted for consideration, cost estimates for development, testing, and full operation of each application, a recommended priority listing of the applications for which an evaluation is completed, and funding recommendations by application contained within the budget request for the division. All application estimates and requests shall be scheduled over ensuing fiscal years such that annual projected costs and completion of application phases to the point of fully operational status can be clearly determined. Local applications shall not be subject to the provisions of this subsection.

(2) All development costs for approved new applications shall be budgeted and appropriated to the division or to participating state agencies at the discretion of the Legislature. Agencies may independently request appropriations for such application development, however such requests shall be subject to the review and prioritization set forth in subdivision (2)(a) of section 86-563, and at such time as the application becomes an authorized application and funded by the Legislature, the cost of such development shall be appropriated to the division or to participating state agencies. To the extent possible, if office cash or revolving funds or federal funds may be used for application development, such funds may be transferred to the division and expended for application development in order to properly account for all costs associated with application development.

The officer may adopt and promulgate rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures to carry out sections 86-563 and 86-564.

The Data Systems Cash Fund is created. The fund shall include money remitted from section 86-563. The fund may be expended for application-related purposes for which the Legislature makes a specific appropriation. The fund may be used to subsidize the cost of operating existing applications, for lowering rates charged to participating state agencies and counties, or for the purpose of new application development. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

The Intergovernmental Data Services Program Revolving Fund is created. The fund shall be administered by the division. The fund shall consist of fees paid for services provided to state agencies, political subdivisions, or other governmental or private entities by the division and shall be used to pay for expenses incurred by the division. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

The budget division of the Department of Administrative Services shall administratively create such cash and revolving funds as may be required to properly account for the receipt of charges for use of applications and the payment of expenses for operation of the system. It is the intent of the Legislature that operations of the system shall be fully financed by user charges with the exception of development costs for new applications and initial costs of operation as applications progre