Bill Text: MS HB1489 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Technology Innovation Fund; establish.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-20 - Referred To State Affairs;Appropriations A [HB1489 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-HB1489-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: State Affairs; Appropriations A
By: Representative Zuber
House Bill 1489
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FUND TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES; TO PRESCRIBE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS, IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES; TO FACILITATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, BLOCKCHAIN, CLOUD COMPUTING, AND DATA ANALYTICS; TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES; TO ENHANCE CYBERSECURITY AND PROTECT STATE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE; TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING MECHANISMS INCLUDING INITIAL APPROPRIATION, CLOUD SERVICE SALES REVENUE, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, AND FEDERAL GRANTS; TO REQUIRE REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FUNDED PROJECTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-53-5 AND 25-53-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-53-151 FOR POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. There is hereby established the Technology Innovation Fund, which shall be administered by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, under the authority of the Chief Information Officer of the State of Mississippi, for the purpose of:
(a) Providing financial support for projects that utilize technology to address critical needs, improve service delivery and foster collaboration between public and private entities;
(b) Facilitating the development and deployment of innovative technological solutions that enhance the efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness of government services;
(c) Supporting collaborative efforts between government agencies, educational institutions, private sector partners and non-profit organizations in the implementation of digital solutions that drive public sector modernization;
(d) Facilitating research, prototyping, and piloting of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics, and cloud computing;
(e) Ensuring equitable access to technological innovations capable of benefitting underserved communities and regions; and
(f) Enhancing cybersecurity and protecting the integrity of state digital infrastructure.
SECTION 2. (1) The following entities shall be eligible to apply for funding under this act:
(a) State and local government agencies;
(b) Public and private educational institutions;
(c) Non-profit organizations engaged in technology-driven public service initiatives; and
(d) Private sector entities, in partnership with public sector agencies, for collaborative projects.
(2) Applications for funding must demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute to the digital transformation of government services and the achievement of the objectives outlined in Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 3. (1) The chief information officer of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall establish criteria for the evaluation of proposals and the allocation of funds, prioritizing projects that:
(a) Provide measurable benefits to the public and improve government operations;
(b) Demonstrate potential for scalability and sustainability;
(c) Foster partnerships across government, private and non-profit sectors; and
(d) Address urgent challenges in service delivery, efficiency and cybersecurity.
(2) The fund may allocate grants, matching funds or loans to eligible projects, as deemed appropriate by the chief information officer.
SECTION 4. (1) Each recipient of funding from the Technology Innovation Fund shall be required to provide periodic reports to the chief information officer detailing the progress, outcomes, and financial expenditures associated with the funded project.
(2) The chief information officer shall submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the use of the Technology Innovation Fund, including descriptions of funded projects, their outcomes, and recommendations for future innovations.
SECTION 5. (1) The Technology Innovation Fund shall be initially capitalized with an appropriation of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) from the State General Fund for fiscal year 2026, or other source, as determined by the Legislature. Annually thereafter, there shall be deposited a one percent (1%) share of funds collected on the sales of IaaS (infrastructure as a service), PaaS (platform as a service), SaaS (software as a service) and cloud-related professional services.
(2) Additional funding may be secured from:
(a) Public-private partnerships;
(b) Federal grants or matching programs;
(c) Revenues from technological licensing or commercialization resulting from funded projects; and
(d) Donations or contributions from private or philanthropic organizations.
(3) The fund may also establish a revolving loan mechanism to replenish available resources through repayments from successful projects.
SECTION 6. Section 25-53-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-53-5. The authority shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:
(a) (i) The authority shall provide for the development of plans for the efficient acquisition and utilization of computer equipment and services by all agencies of state government, and provide for their implementation. In so doing, the authority may use the MDITS' staff, at the discretion of the executive director of the authority, or the authority may contract for the services of qualified consulting firms in the field of information technology and utilize the service of such consultants as may be necessary for such purposes. Pursuant to Section 25-53-1, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the Department of Human Services for a period of three (3) years beginning on July 1, 2017. Pursuant to Section 25-53-1, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the Department of Child Protection Services for a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017.
(ii) [Repealed]
(b) The authority shall immediately institute procedures for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and supervise the efficient execution of the powers and duties of the office of executive director of the authority. In the execution of its functions under this chapter, the authority shall maintain as a paramount consideration the successful internal organization and operation of the several agencies so that efficiency existing therein shall not be adversely affected or impaired. In executing its functions in relation to the institutions of higher learning and junior colleges in the state, the authority shall take into consideration the special needs of such institutions in relation to the fields of teaching and scientific research.
(c) Title of whatever nature of all computer equipment now vested in any agency of the State of Mississippi is hereby vested in the authority, and no such equipment shall be disposed of in any manner except in accordance with the direction of the authority or under the provisions of such rules and regulations as may hereafter be adopted by the authority in relation thereto.
(d) The authority shall adopt rules, regulations, and procedures governing the acquisition of computer and telecommunications equipment and services which shall, to the fullest extent practicable, ensure the maximum of competition between all manufacturers of supplies or equipment or services. In the writing of specifications, in the making of contracts relating to the acquisition of such equipment and services, and in the performance of its other duties the authority shall provide for the maximum compatibility of all information systems hereafter installed or utilized by all state agencies and may require the use of common computer languages where necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. The authority may establish by regulation and charge reasonable fees on a nondiscriminatory basis for the furnishing to bidders of copies of bid specifications and other documents issued by the authority.
(e) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the sharing with, or the sale or lease of information technology services to any nonstate agency or person. Such regulations shall provide that any such sharing, sale or lease shall be restricted in that same shall be accomplished only where such services are not readily available otherwise within the state, and then only at a charge to the user not less than the prevailing rate of charge for similar services by private enterprise within this state.
(f) The authority may, in its discretion, establish a special technical advisory committee or committees to study and make recommendations on technology matters within the competence of the authority as the authority may see fit. Persons serving on the Information Resource Council, its task forces, or any such technical advisory committees shall be entitled to receive their actual and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of such duties, together with mileage as provided by law for state employees, provided the same has been authorized by a resolution duly adopted by the authority and entered on its minutes prior to the performance of such duties.
(g) The authority may provide for the development and require the adoption of standardized computer programs and may provide for the dissemination of information to and the establishment of training programs for the personnel of the various information technology centers of state agencies and personnel of the agencies utilizing the services thereof.
(h) The authority shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations requiring the reporting to the authority through the office of executive director of such information as may be required for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and may also establish such reasonable procedures to be followed in the presentation of bills for payment under the terms of all contracts for the acquisition of computer equipment and services now or hereafter in force as may be required by the authority or by the executive director in the execution of their powers and duties.
(i) The authority shall require such adequate documentation of information technology procedures utilized by the various state agencies and may require the establishment of such organizational structures within state agencies relating to information technology operations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(j) The authority may adopt such further reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the purposes of this chapter. All rules and regulations adopted by the authority shall be published and disseminated in readily accessible form to all affected state agencies, and to all current suppliers of computer equipment and services to the state, and to all prospective suppliers requesting the same. Such rules and regulations shall be kept current, be periodically revised, and copies thereof shall be available at all times for inspection by the public at reasonable hours in the offices of the authority. Whenever possible no rule, regulation or any proposed amendment to such rules and regulations shall be finally adopted or enforced until copies of the proposed rules and regulations have been furnished to all interested parties for their comment and suggestions.
(k) The authority shall establish rules and regulations which shall provide for the submission of all contracts proposed to be executed by the executive director for computer equipment and/or telecommunications or services, including cloud computing, to the authority for approval before final execution, and the authority may provide that such contracts involving the expenditure of less than such specified amount as may be established by the authority may be finally executed by the executive director without first obtaining such approval by the authority.
(l) The authority is authorized to consider new technologies, such as cloud computing, to purchase, lease, or rent computer equipment or services and to operate that equipment and use those services in providing services to one or more state agencies when in its opinion such operation will provide maximum efficiency and economy in the functions of any such agency or agencies.
(m) Upon the request of the governing body of a political subdivision or instrumentality, the authority shall assist the political subdivision or instrumentality in its development of plans for the efficient acquisition and utilization of computer equipment and services. An appropriate fee shall be charged the political subdivision by the authority for such assistance.
(n) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the protest procedures to be followed by any actual or prospective bidder, offeror or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract for the acquisition of computer equipment or services. Such rules and regulations shall prescribe the manner, time and procedure for making protests and may provide that a protest not timely filed shall be summarily denied. The authority may require the protesting party, at the time of filing the protest, to post a bond, payable to the state, in an amount that the authority determines sufficient to cover any expense or loss incurred by the state, the authority or any state agency as a result of the protest if the protest subsequently is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been filed without any substantial basis or reasonable expectation to believe that the protest was meritorious; however, in no event may the amount of the bond required exceed a reasonable estimate of the total project cost. The authority, in its discretion, also may prohibit any prospective bidder, offeror or contractor who is a party to any litigation involving any such contract with the state, the authority or any agency of the state to participate in any other such bid, offer or contract, or to be awarded any such contract, during the pendency of the litigation.
(o) The authority shall make a report in writing to the Legislature each year in the month of January. Such report shall contain a full and detailed account of the work of the authority for the preceding year as specified in Section 25-53-29(3).
All acquisitions of computer equipment and services involving the expenditure of funds in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c), or rentals or leases in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c) for the term of the contract, shall be based upon competitive and open specifications, and contracts therefor shall be entered into only after advertisements for bids are published in one or more daily newspapers having a general circulation in the state not less than fourteen (14) days prior to receiving sealed bids therefor. The authority may reserve the right to reject any or all bids, and if all bids are rejected, the authority may negotiate a contract within the limitations of the specifications so long as the terms of any such negotiated contract are equal to or better than the comparable terms submitted by the lowest and best bidder, and so long as the total cost to the State of Mississippi does not exceed the lowest bid. If the authority accepts one (1) of such bids, it shall be that which is the lowest and best. Through June 30, 2024, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to acquisitions of information technology equipment and services made by the Mississippi Department of Health and the Mississippi Department of Revenue for the purposes of implementing, administering and enforcing the provisions of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.
(p) When applicable, the authority may procure equipment, systems and related services in accordance with the law or regulations, or both, which govern the Bureau of Purchasing of the Office of General Services or which govern the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services procurement of telecommunications equipment, software and services.
(q) The authority is authorized to purchase, lease, or rent information technology and services for the purpose of establishing pilot projects to investigate emerging technologies. These acquisitions shall be limited to new technologies and shall be limited to an amount set by annual appropriation of the Legislature. These acquisitions shall be exempt from the advertising and bidding requirement.
(r) To promote the maximum use and benefit from technology and services now in operation or which will in the future be placed in operation and to identify opportunities, minimize duplication, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services the authority is authorized to:
(i)
Enter into master agreements for computer or telecommunications equipment or
services, including cloud computing, available for shared use by state
agencies, * * *
institutions of higher learning and governing authorities; and
(ii) Enter into contracts for the acquisition of computer or telecommunications equipment or services, including cloud computing, that have been acquired by other entities, located within or outside of the State of Mississippi, so long as it is determined by the authority to be in the best interest of the state. The acquisitions provided in this paragraph (r) shall be exempt from the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 25-53-1 et seq.
(s) All fees collected by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature.
(t) The authority shall work closely with the council to bring about effective coordination of policies, standards and procedures relating to procurement of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) resources. In addition, the authority is responsible for development, operation and maintenance of a delivery system infrastructure for geographic information systems data. The authority shall provide a warehouse for Mississippi's geographic information systems data.
(u) The authority shall manage one or more State Data Centers to provide information technology services on a cost-sharing basis. In determining the appropriate services to be provided through the State Data Center, the authority should consider those services that:
(i) Result in savings to the state as a whole;
(ii) Improve and enhance the security and reliability of the state's information and business systems; and
(iii) Optimize the efficient use of the state's information technology assets, including, but not limited to, promoting partnerships with the state institutions of higher learning and community colleges to capitalize on advanced information technology resources.
(v) The authority shall increase federal participation in the cost of the State Data Center to the extent provided by law and its shared technology infrastructure through providing such shared services to agencies that receive federal funds. With regard to state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, the authority may provide shared services when mutually agreeable, following a determination by both the authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as the case may be, that the sharing of services is mutually beneficial.
(w) The authority, in its discretion, may require new or replacement agency business applications to be hosted at the State Data Center. With regard to state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, the authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as the case may be, may agree that institutions of higher learning or community colleges may utilize business applications that are hosted at the State Data Center, following a determination by both the authority and the applicable board that the hosting of those applications is mutually beneficial. In addition, the authority may establish partnerships to capitalize on the advanced technology resources of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, following a determination by both the authority and the applicable board that such a partnership is mutually beneficial.
(x) The authority shall provide a periodic update regarding reform-based information technology initiatives to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees.
From and after July 1, 2018, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund. In addition, in order to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services, expenses for the provision of statewide shared services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions shall be defrayed by pass-through funding and shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature. These funds shall only be utilized to pay the actual costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services for providing these shared services to state agencies. Furthermore, state agencies shall work in full cooperation with the Board of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to identify computer equipment or services to minimize duplication, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries.
(y) The authority shall have the sole discretion to expend or reallocate funds appropriated or deposited into the Technology Innovation Funds, established in Section 1 of this act in order to carry out the provisions of Sections 1 through 5 of this act.
SECTION 7. Section 25-53-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-53-29. (1) For the purposes of this section the term "bureau" shall mean the "Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services." The authority shall have the following powers and responsibilities to carry out the establishment of policy and provide for long-range planning and consulting:
(a) Provide a high level of technical expertise for agencies, institutions, political subdivisions and other governmental entities as follows: planning; consulting; project management; systems and performance review; system definition; design; application programming; training; development and documentation; implementation; maintenance; and other tasks as may be required, within the resources available to the bureau.
(b) Publish written planning guides, policies and procedures for use by agencies and institutions in planning future electronic information service systems. The bureau may require agencies and institutions to submit data, including periodic electronic equipment inventory listings, information on agency staffing, systems under study, planned applications for the future, and other information needed for the purposes of preparing the state master plan. The bureau may require agencies and institutions to submit any additional data required for purposes of preparing the state master plan.
(c) Inspect agency facilities and equipment, interview agency employees and review records at any time deemed necessary by the bureau for the purpose of identifying cost-effective applications of electronic information technology. Upon conclusion of any inspection, the bureau shall issue a management letter containing cost estimates and recommendations to the agency head and governing board concerning applications identified that would result in staff reductions, other monetary savings and improved delivery of public services.
(d) Conduct classroom and on-site training for end users for applications and systems developed by the bureau.
(e) Provide consulting services to agencies and institutions or Mississippi governmental subdivisions requesting technical assistance in electronic information services technology applications and systems. The bureau may submit proposals and enter into contracts to provide services to agencies and institutions or governmental subdivisions for such purposes.
(2) The bureau shall annually issue a three-year master plan in writing to the Governor, available on request to any member of the Legislature, including recommended statewide strategies and goals for the effective and efficient use of information technology and services in state government. The report shall also include recommended information policy actions and other recommendations for consideration by the Governor and members of the Legislature.
(3) The bureau shall make an annual report in writing to the Governor, available on request to any member of the Legislature, to include a full and detailed account of the work of the authority for the preceding year. The report shall contain recommendations to agencies and institutions resulting from inspections or consulting contracts. The report shall also contain a summary of the master plan, progress made, and legislative and policy recommendations for consideration by the Governor and members of the Legislature.
(4) The bureau may charge fees to agencies and institutions for services rendered to them. The bureau may charge fees to vendors to recover the cost of providing procurement services and the delivery of procurement awards to public bodies. The amounts of such fees shall be set by the authority upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the MDITS, and all such fees collected shall be paid into the fund established for carrying out the purposes of this section. Except as otherwise provided, the funds received by the department from the collection of one percent (1%) of the total aggregate sales of IaaS (infrastructure as a service), PaaS (platform as a service), SaaS (software as a service) and cloud-related professional services shall be deposited into the Technology Innovation Funds for purposes prescribed in Sections 1 through 5 of this act.
(5) It is the intention of the Legislature that the employees of the bureau performing services defined by this section be staffed by highly qualified persons possessing technical, consulting and programming expertise. Such employees shall be considered nonstate service employees as defined in Section 25-9-107(c)(x) and may be compensated at a rate comparable to the prevailing rate of individuals in qualified professional consulting firms in the private sector. Such compensation rates shall be determined by the State Personnel Director. The number of such positions shall be set by annual appropriation of the Legislature. Qualifications and compensation of the bureau employees shall be set by the State Personnel Board upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the MDITS. The total number of positions and classification of positions may be increased or decreased during a fiscal year depending upon work load and availability of funds.
(6) The bureau may, from time to time, at the discretion of the Executive Director of the MDITS, contract with firms or qualified individuals to be used to augment the bureau's professional staff in order to assure timely completion and implementation of assigned tasks, provided that funds are available in the fund established for carrying out the purposes of this section. Such individuals may be employees of any agency, bureau or institution provided that these individuals or firms meet the requirements of other individuals or firms doing business with the state through the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. Individuals who are employees of an agency or institution may contract with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services only with the concurrence of the agency or institution for whom they are employed.
From and after July 1, 2018, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund. In addition, in order to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services, expenses for the provision of statewide shared services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions shall be defrayed by pass-through funding and shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature. These funds shall only be utilized to pay the actual costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services for providing these shared services to state agencies. Furthermore, state agencies shall work in full cooperation with the Board of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) to identify computer equipment or services to minimize duplication, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries.
SECTION 8. Section 25-53-151, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
25-53-151. (1) There is established in the State Treasury the "Electronic Government Services Fund," into which shall be deposited specific funds appropriated by the Legislature for developing and providing electronic government services within the State of Mississippi. Any funds in the Electronic Government Services Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall be available for expenditure in the subsequent fiscal year. The funds in the Electronic Government Fund shall be available for expenditure pursuant to specific appropriation by the Legislature beginning in fiscal year 2002, to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.
(2) There is hereby established an Electronic Government Oversight Committee to oversee the implementation of E-Government and related technology initiatives. Duties of this committee would include: (a) prioritize and make recommendations for all electronic government services, in order to cut across state and local governmental organizational structures; (b) address policy issues such as privacy, security, transaction fees and accessibility; (c) review ongoing fiscal and operational management and support of portal; (d) provide a mechanism for gathering input from citizens, businesses and government entities; (e) encourage self-service models for citizens through state websites and other electronic services; and (f) promote economic development and efficient delivery of government services by encouraging governmental and private sector entities to conduct their business and transactions using electronic media. The Electronic Government Oversight Committee shall be composed of the following: (a) the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or his designee;
(b) the State Auditor, or his designee; (c) the State Treasurer, or his designee; (d) the Secretary of State, or his designee; (e) the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee; (f) the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee; (g) the Commissioner of Revenue, or his designee. The committee shall annually elect one (1) member to serve as chairman and one (1) member to serve as vice chairman, who shall act as chairman in the absence of the chairman. The committee shall meet monthly or upon the call of the chairman, and shall make necessary reports and recommendations to the Legislature and the appropriate agencies of state government. All agencies of state government shall cooperate with the committee in providing requested information, shall work closely with and provide information to the committee and shall report to the committee at its request. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall provide administrative support for the committee. Nonlegislative members of the committee shall serve without compensation.
(3) The Electronic Government Oversight Committee shall advise and provide direction to the Department of Finance and Administration to develop a procurement portal that will enable potential vendors of goods and services to access relevant and necessary information related to the sale of the following types of goods and services to the State of Mississippi and its agencies:
(a) Commodities, as defined by Section 31-7-1;
(b) Contract personnel, as defined by Sections 25-9-107 and 25-9-120; and
(c) Computer equipment and services, as defined by Section 25-53-3.
(4) The procurement portal provided for in subsection (3) must provide potential vendors with the following:
(a) A searchable database of business procurement opportunities with the state which includes a breakdown by product or service and by the organization seeking the product or service;
(b) Listings of the published date and closing date for each business procurement opportunity;
(c) A "Frequently Asked Questions" section regarding doing business with the respective agencies;
(d) A breakdown of "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding the selection process with the respective agencies;
(e) An open-air forum for questions and answers relating to the procurement process, in general, as well as specifically relating to a single contract; and
(f) Links to individual agency websites and contacts to enable potential vendors to obtain more specific information, if necessary.
(5) The procurement portal must be linked to the Transparency Mississippi website established in accordance with Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-163. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall develop and maintain a link to the procurement portal from the state website.
From and after July 1, 2018, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund. In addition, in order to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services, expenses for the provision of statewide shared services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions shall be defrayed by pass-through funding and shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature. These funds shall only be utilized to pay the actual costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services for providing these shared services to state agencies. Furthermore, state agencies shall work in full cooperation with the Board of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) to identify computer equipment or services to minimize duplication, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries.
SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
