SB 17-239

Senate Bill 17-239 allows state departments and institutions to adjust their spending on information technology (IT) projects without needing new approval from the legislature when unexpected issues arise. Currently, this flexibility is only available for physical construction projects but not IT projects. The bill aims to give IT projects the same flexibility as other capital projects by allowing adjustments during times when the general assembly isn't in session. This change affects state agencies and institutions of higher education that manage IT capital projects. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and these entities can make necessary changes to their IT project budgets without waiting for legislative approval under certain conditions.

Official Summary

Joint Technology Committee. Current law specifies a process by which any department, institution, or agency of the state, including any institution of higher education, may request permission to expend money differently from the authority granted by an appropriation for a capital construction budget item if the project for which the appropriation was made requires a nonmonetary adjustment for its timely continuation and the nonmonetary adjustment is due to unforseen circumstances arising while the general assembly in not in session. This process includes appropriations for capital construction, controlled maintenance, or capital renewal appropriations. Currently, the process does not include information technology capital projects, as they are no longer included in the definition of capital construction. The bill specifies that a department, institution, or agency of the state, including any institution of higher education, may, under the same circumstances specified for capital construction appropriations, use the process to request permission to expend money differently from the authority granted by the appropriation for an information technology capital project.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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