ASSEMBLY SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4577

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

      The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4577.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires each State department, agency, and instrumentality to provide an annual report to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Office of Information Technology (OIT).  The report is required to include:

     (1) ways the department, agency, or instrumentality may enhance digital services in order to improve constituent interactions with the department, agency, or instrumentality to create a more cohesive experience between online, mobile, and in-person services by conducting user research to identify key needs, implementing changes based on feedback, and designing new service offerings based on emergency needs; and

     (2) ways the department, agency, or instrumentality may improve remote work capabilities for employees by procuring updated hardware and software, providing trainings on digital tools, digitizing paper-based processes, and creating flexibility in departmental, agency, or instrumentality rules in order to continue processes during an emergency.

     This bill requires the OIT to provide an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing recommendations on how State departments, agencies, and instrumentalities may improve constituent services and employee remote work through upgraded technology.  The recommendations are to include:

     (1) strategies for transitioning operating services and operational tasks to cloud computing services;

     (2) integrating data into a single portal or location;

     (3) maintaining private and secure access to government constituent information;

     (4) transitioning remote work technology to be based in a web portal instead of a Virtual Private Network; and

     (5) specific hardware and software upgrade recommendations.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

The committee amendment makes a technical change to the title of the bill.