§41-28-4. Powers and duties of secretary.

The secretary shall have all of the following powers and duties:

(1) Develop a comprehensive four-year strategic plan for the state's information technology to include acquisition, management, and use of information technology by state agencies. The plan shall be developed in conjunction with the planning and budgeting processes for state agencies and may include review of state agencies' information technology plans, capital budgets, and operating budgets as appropriate to accomplish the goals of reducing redundant expenditures and maximizing the return on information technology investments. The plan shall be updated annually and submitted to the Governor and shall be presented during a public meeting to the Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology. The plan shall further be coordinated with the Boards of Directors of the Alabama Supercomputer Authority.

(2) Collaborate and coordinate with the Division of Data Systems Management of the Department of Finance as set forth in Article 8 of Chapter 4 of this title, the Alabama Supercomputer Authority, or any state authority, board, or agency of like kind, and promote standards and coordinate services and infrastructure to ensure that information technology is used to support designated needs areas, including identifying applications, equipment, and services that may be statewide in scope and assisting state agencies in avoiding duplication of applications, equipment, and services.

(3) Serve as a member of the board, or boards, for the Alabama Supercomputer Authority.

(4) Solicit, receive, and administer funds, goods, services, and equipment from public and private entities to be used for the purchase of computers, satellites, hardware, software, and other information technology equipment and services and for staff training in the use of information technology development programs.

(5) Establish an inventory of information technology resources to allow identification of underutilized or idle resources and all data and data systems in state agencies to promote improved asset management, utilization, and data sharing, with information technology resources to include personnel, software, hardware, and services.

(6) Establish and administer a structured system for review and approval of new information technology initiatives and projects, including business case, cost benefit analysis, and compatibility analysis.

(7) Administer any funds appropriated to the secretary by the Legislature for the establishment, operation, and coordination of the office.

(8) Represent state information technology and related areas with both the private and public sectors, including the federal government.

(9) Issue annual reports to the Governor, the Legislature, and the general public concerning the coordination and operation of the office.

(10) Promulgate rules, regulations, and policies and establish procedures and standards for the management and operation of information technology by state agencies to carry out this chapter, including coordinating state information technology; providing technical assistance to state agency administrators on design and management of state information technology systems; evaluating the cost, system design, and suitability of information technology equipment and related services; establishing standards and policies for project management and project methodologies; and developing a unified and integrated structure and enterprise architecture for information technology systems for all state agencies.

(11) Plan and coordinate information technology activities for state agencies in such a manner as to promote the most economical and effective use of state resources.

(Act 2013-68, p. 138, §4.)