GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2003

SESSION LAW 2003-172

HOUSE BILL 941

AN ACT providing for the analysis of the state's legacy information technology systems.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 3D of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 147-33.89. Analysis of State agency legacy systems.

(a) The Office of Information Technology Services, in conjunction with the Information Resources Management Commission, shall analyze the State's legacy information technology systems and develop a plan to ascertain the needs, costs, and time frame required for State agencies to progress to more modern information technology systems.

(b) In conducting the legacy system assessment phase of the analysis, the Office shall:

(1) Examine the hierarchical structure and interrelated relationships within and between State agency legacy systems.

(2) Catalog and analyze the portfolio of legacy applications in use in State agencies and consider the extent to which new applications could be used concurrently with, or should replace, legacy systems.

(3) Consider issues related to migration from legacy environments to Internet-based and client/server environments, and related to the availability of programmers and other information technology professionals with the skills to migrate legacy applications to other environments.

(4) Study any other issue relative to the assessment of legacy information technology systems in State agencies.

By March 1, 2004, the Office shall complete the assessment phase of the analysis and shall make a report of the assessment to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations (Commission). Thereafter, the Office shall make an ongoing annual report on these matters to the Commission by March 1 of each year.

(c) Upon completion of the legacy system assessment phase of the analysis, the Office shall ascertain the needs, costs, and time frame required to modernize State agency information technology. The Office shall complete this phase of the assessment by January 31, 2005, and shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2005 General Assembly. The findings and recommendations shall include a cost estimate and time line for modernization of legacy information technology systems in State agencies. The Office shall submit an ongoing, updated report on modernization needs, costs, and time lines to the General Assembly on the opening day of each biennial session."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 5^th day of June, 2003.

                                                                    s/ Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved 10:03 a.m. this 12^th day of June, 2003