HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 79

(By Delegates Howell, Arvon, Atkinson, Blair, Cadle, Caputo, Faircloth, Ferro, Flanigan, Hartman, Hill, Ihle, Lynch, McGeehan, Moffatt, Nelson, J.Pushkin, Smith, R., Sponaugle, and Stansbury)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization, February 19, 2016]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study state agency             websites, the processes, policies, and contracts for entities which provide            technical and   logistical support for agency website development and maintenance, and             the laws and    policies governing the electronic accessibility of public information.

Whereas, The Legislature is committed to promoting an open, transparent and fiscally responsible government; and

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes that a government that is accessible to the people is necessary and proper, promotes transparency in government, facilitates civic participation, and such participation leads to a responsive and responsible government; and

Whereas, Government agencies provide access to information in a variety of formats on a variety of platforms, with assistance, advice, and technical support for website development and maintenance from a variety of sources, resulting in a lack of consistency among state agency websites; and

Whereas, State standards that are clear regarding what information is to be made available to the public, on what formats and in what manner, the Legislature should review the polices, rules and laws regarding how agencies provide access to information so that access is reasonable, accurate and not duplicative, Therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study state agency websites, the processes, policies, and contracts for entities which provide technical and logistical support for agency website development and maintenance, and            the laws and policies governing the electronic accessibility of public information; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2017, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Office of Technology, the offices of the State Treasurer, the State Auditor, the Secretary of State, the Department of Administration and the Department of Commerce shall cooperate with the Legislature and provide information, access to personnel and access to all records necessary to effectuate the provisions of this study; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study and to prepare and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.