INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
[Authorized: NDCC 54-59]
Centralization of the state's electronic data processing (EDP) systems first occurred in 1959 when the newly created Department of Accounts and Purchases assumed responsibility for maintenance of a central data processing facility for state government, thus establishing the central duplicating and data processing facility (S. L.1959, Ch. 372). This was followed by the creation of the Office of Central Data Processing in 1969 (S. L. 1969, Ch. 454) with legislation authorizing the Office of Central Data Processing with responsibility for providing EDP services to state agencies through a centralized system of computer personnel, equipment, and services. The Director of Central Data Processing had authority to review EDP applications and the acquisition of EDP services and equipment by all agencies within the Executive Branch. Institutions such as the State Board of Higher Education, Job Service North Dakota (formerly the Employment Security Bureau), and the Adjutant General were exempt from control of EDP resources by the Director of Central Data Processing.
In 1983 the first statewide network was introduced and in 1989 legislation concerned the re-designation of the office of Central Data Processing to an Information Services Division within the Office of the Management and Budget. The duties remained the same (S. L. 1989, Ch. 642). Early in the 1990s email was implemented for use by state agencies across North Dakota (1992) and in 1995 “homepage” technology was introduced statewide via the capabilities of the internet. The Legislative Information Technology Committee was formed in 1997 to produce an information technology plan statewide (1998). The Legislature authorized the Division to prepare guidelines for agency information technology plans, develop a statewide plan based on those plans and develop statewide information technology policies, standards, and guidelines. Additionally the Division was to coordinate services with political subdivisions, and systems and services with Higher Education, and report non-compliance to the Legislature.
In 1999 appropriations allowed for the Information Technology Department to replace the Information Services Division (S. L. 1999, Ch. 483) and in 2001 legislation related to powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Information Technology Committee and the Information Technology Department. Additionally the Statewide Wide Area Network name was changed to the State Information Technology Advisory Committee. Changes were also made to Committee membership [NDCC 54-59-07]. Needs arose for development of standards during the implementation of the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In 2003 the state worked with the North Dakota University Systems to set up a program. During the special session of the Legislature in 2003, prioritization of state government strategic initiatives based on information from state agencies and institutions were used by the Department of Information Technology and the Office of Management and Budget to develop guidelines for agencies with “unique” needs. Legislation also addressed establishing of certain standards and information concerning the use of electronic mail, file and print server administration, database administration, and the availability of an application server and hosting services for certain agencies (Special Session, S. L. 2003, Ch. 665).
Legislation in 2005 concerned the Information Technology Committee membership which included the IT Chief Information Officer, designees from the Commissioner of Higher Education, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Chief Justice, two members of the Legislative Assembly appointed by Legislative Council, a minimum of eight members representing state agencies (appointed by the Governor), and two members (appointed by the Governor) with technology management expertise representing private industry (S. L. 2005, Ch. 536). Legislation was added to the Century Code concerning the Health Information Technology Steering Committee and the Statewide Longitudinal Data System Committee in 2007 (S. L. 2007, Ch. 30) and in 2013 a new section was added to the Century Code regarding technology projects and creating executive steering committees for such projects (S. L. 2013, Ch. 436).
CHRONOLOGY
1959 A centralization of electronic data processing systems (EDP) and central duplicating resources was required. Not included were the institutions under control of the State Board of Higher Education, Job Service North Dakota (formerly called Employment Security Bureau), and the office of the Adjutant General (S. L.1959, Ch. 372).
1967 Legislation provided appropriations for centralized data processing for use by state offices, agencies, or institutions (S. L. 1967, Ch. 392).
1969 Legislation established the Office of Central Data Processing within the Department of Accounts and Purchases. The legislation required the appointment of a Supervisor (S. L. 1969, Ch. 454).
1981 Legislation appropriated operating funds for the Central Data Processing (S. L. 1981, Ch. 538).
1987 The Century Code was amended regarding a Telecommunications Equipment and Supplies Fund as well as the provision of services for state departments and agencies (S. L. 1987, Ch. 562).
1989 Two new sections were added to the Century Code relating to the Capitol telephone exchange and wide area telephone service. Also legislation concerned the re-designation of the office of Central Data Processing to an Information Services Division within the Office of the Management and Budget. The duties remained the same (S. L. 1989, Ch. 642).
1990 Records Management was a division within the Office of Management and Budget until1990 when it was merged with the Information Services Division.
1999 Appropriations for the Information Services Division related to legislation creating an Information Technology Department to replace the Information Services Division (S. L. 1999, Ch. 483). The first Chief Information Officer was hired to oversee the newly created Department. The Records Management Division was moved to the newly created ITD with responsibility to implement and maintain records management, forms management, and micrographics programs in state agencies. The Division also worked with county record management. The Central Microfilm Unit falls within Records Management Division jurisdiction.
2001 Legislation addressed information considered confidential by a state agency and a new section was added to the Century Code regarding the content to be included in the Information Technology Department annual report (S. L. 2001, Ch. 500).
2003 Changes were made to the Educational Technology Council membership (S. L. 2003, Ch. 504). Legislation related to the powers, duties, and responsibility of both the Information Technology Department and the Information Technology Committee and to charges for services provided by the Department to state agencies (S.L. 2003, Ch. 503).
2005 A new section was added to the Century Code relating to the project reports (S. L. 2005, Ch. 536).
2007 There were amendments to the Century Code on the Criminal Justice Information Sharing Board membership, duties, and records considered to be exempt (S. L. 2007, Ch. 491). Also legislation concerning in the annual reports from state agencies about information technology needs (S. L. 2007, Ch. 63).
2009 Legislation addressed responsibility of the Chief Information Officer regarding state agencies who were participants in the Information Technology Plans (S. L. 2009, Ch. 517) and legislation concerning changes to the Criminal Justice Information Sharing Board at the request of the Information Technology Committee (S.L. 2009, Ch. 518).
2013 A new section was added to the Century Code regarding technology projects and creating executive steering committees for such projects (S. L. 2013, and Ch. 436).
SERIES
31878 Administration. Director's Files
32119 Policy and Planning. Agency IT Plans.
32153 Policy and Planning. Large Project Files.
32183 Policy and Planning. Legislation.
32216 Policy and Planning. Criminal Justice Information Sharing.
32217 Administration. Educational Technology Council Records.
32218 Records Management. Electronic Document Management.
32219 Policy and Planning. Legislative IT Committee and SITAC Meeting Files.
32240 Policy and Planning. Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
32337 Center for Distance Education. Audiovisual Materials.
32365 Health Information Technology Records.
32367 Records Management. Audiovisual Materials.
SOURCES
Gray, David P, Guide to North Dakota State Archives, 1983
North Dakota Century Code .
North Dakota Information Technology Department Website.
North Dakota Secretary of State Blue Book.
North Dakota State Legislature Session Laws.
Office of Management and Budget Website.
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