Bill Text: NJ A1687 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts to prepare for catastrophic loss of technological services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee [A1687 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A1687-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REGINALD W. ATKINS
District 20 (Union)
Assemblyman WILLIAM W. SPEARMAN
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER
District 22 (Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Karabinchak, Assemblywoman Tucker, Assemblymen Sampson and Danielsen
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts to prepare for catastrophic loss of technological services.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act establishing the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts and supplementing chapter 9 of Appendix A.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. For purposes of this section "office" means the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts in the State Office of Emergency Management established pursuant to subsection b. of this section.
b. There is established in the State Office of Emergency Management an office to be called the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts. The purpose of this office shall be to analyze the potential risks and impacts of a catastrophic loss of technology and develop strategies for enhancing the State's response to that event.
c. The office's functions shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) researching and defining "technological dependency" within the State, including the identification of critical infrastructure, systems, and services that rely on technology;
(2) assessing the potential consequences of a catastrophic loss of technology, including the impacts on the State and adjacent states, and developing procedures for managing the loss of technology;
(3) providing quarterly reports to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature on its research findings, including recommendations on how programs designed to increase technological access and growth to underserved communities should prepare for a catastrophic loss of technology;
(4) preparing for a catastrophic loss of technology by developing, and updating as necessary, a plan for communication, medical services, transportation, and other essential services, which shall be reported to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature no later than one year following the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);
(5) development and distribution of informational materials to the public concerning how to prepare for a catastrophic loss of technology and any other subject the office deems relevant to fulfilling its functions.
(6) reviewing current and proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to technological dependency or a catastrophic loss of technology and making recommendations concerning potential legislation and regulations; and
(7) conducting biannual public hearings for the purpose of gathering public input concerning technological dependency and the impact on this State of a catastrophic loss of technology, and any other subject the office deems relevant to fulfilling its functions.
d. The Director of the State Office of Emergency Management, in consultation with the State's Chief Information Officer, shall appoint a director to head the office who shall be an individual qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office and who shall devote the time as director solely to the performance of those duties.
e. The office shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State department, board, bureau, commission, or agency it may require and as may be available for its purposes.
f. The Director of the State Office of Emergency Management may promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month following enactment, but the Director of the State Office of Emergency Management may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts ("S.A.F.E.") to prepare for a catastrophic loss of technological services in this State.
This bill establishes the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts in the State Office of Emergency Management. The purpose of this office is to analyze the potential risks and impacts of a catastrophic loss of technology and develop strategies for enhancing the State's response.
The office's functions are to include, but not be limited to, gathering information about the impact of technological dependency; assessing the potential consequences of a catastrophic loss of technology; and developing procedures for managing the loss of technology. In addition, under the bill, the office is to provide quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature on its research findings and develop a plan for essential services in case of a catastrophic technology loss.
The Director of the State Office of Emergency Management, in consultation with the State's Chief Information Officer, is to appoint a director of the office who is qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.
The State's economy, public safety, and general welfare depend on the availability of technological systems and infrastructure. A catastrophic loss of technology could severely disrupt the State's essential services, including communication systems, medical services, transportation infrastructure, utilities, and financial services. It is essential to proactively address the potential risks from technological dependence and create strategies for managing the consequences of a catastrophic loss of technology.
