Mississippi IT Optimization Act; enact., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Technology

By: Senator(s) Williams, Blackmon

Senate Bill 2653

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI IT OPTIMIZATION ACT; TO
DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH THE STATEWIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZATION
PROGRAM WHICH SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE COORDINATED PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT,
IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT OF THE ENTERPRISE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ARCHITECTURE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN EFFECTUATING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EACH AGENCY'S
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR AGENCY HEAD TO COMPLY WITH THIS ACT IN CERTAIN WAYS; TO
PROVIDE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM SHALL BE MANAGED BY ITS AND
EXTERNALLY SUPPORTED BY THE CIO COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE THAT SENSITIVE INFORMATION,
RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATION SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT AND THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY PHASE; TO GRANT PERMISSION TO
CERTAIN PARTIES TO USE ACQUISITIONS MADE ON BEHALF OF OR BY ITS FOR PURPOSES OF
SHARED USE; TO AUTHORIZE ITS TO RECEIVE DONATIONS, GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING; TO
AUTHORIZE ITS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN INTERNSHIP, FELLOWSHIP OR OTHER
RELATED PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDS DESIGNATED BY AGENCIES FOR PROCUREMENT OF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; TO AUTHORIZE ITS TO EXERCISE ALL POWERS NECESSARY TO
EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.
(1)  This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi IT
Optimization Act."

(2)  As used in this
chapter, all words and phrases used herein shall have the meanings as are
ascribed to and provided for them in Section 25-53-3, and the following words
shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless context clearly requires
otherwise:

(a)  "Information
technology enterprise architecture" means the framework used to manage and
align the business processes, information systems, data and other technology
infrastructure of state government with statewide information technology
strategic goals.

(b)  "Information
technology enterprise application portfolio" means the statewide inventory
and analysis of information technology systems and applications operated by
state agencies.

(c)  "Information
technology enterprise architecture review" means the review conducted by
ITS under subsection (4)(e) of this section to determine whether proposed
agency information technology investments comply with statewide information
technology enterprise architecture standards.

(3)  There is hereby
established the Statewide Information Technology Optimization Program, which
shall provide for the coordinated planning, development, implementation and
oversight of enterprise information technology architecture for all state
agencies for all information technology as defined under Section 25-53-3.  The
program shall establish statewide information technology architecture
standards, ensure alignment of agency technology plans with statewide
enterprise objectives, support efficient and secure information technology
investments, increase shared information technology and reduce unnecessary
duplication of systems, services and recourses across state government.  For
the purposes of this section, "architecture" only applies to
information technology and is not intended to be defined as governed by Title
73, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(4)  The Mississippi
Department of Information Technology Services ("ITS"), in
collaboration with all state agencies, shall provide centralized management and
coordination of the statewide information technology enterprise architecture.
ITS is authorized to effectuate this program, which includes the following
duties and responsibilities:

(a)  Serve as the sole
authority for defining the statewide information technology enterprise
architecture, including the enterprise business architecture, data and
information architecture, application architecture, technology and
infrastructure architecture, cloud architecture and security architecture;

(b)  Develop, maintain
and publish statewide enterprise information technology architecture standards,
policies, principles and guidelines to be implemented by all state agencies to
the extent that they apply;

(c)  Develop and
maintain a statewide enterprise information technology application portfolio,
including application inventory, lifecycle status, technical dependencies,
costs, security requirements and integration mappings for all systems operated
by state agencies;

(d)  In addition to
technology plans, review and evaluate agency information, technology strategies
and future plans to ensure they align with statewide enterprise information
technology architecture standards and statewide strategic technology goals and
objectives;

(e)  Conduct an
Information Technology Enterprise Architecture Review in accordance with ITS published
policies, rules or regulations of proposed agency information technology
acquisitions, projects, systems or services prior to procurement or
implementation to ensure compliance with statewide standards, avoid
duplication, promote interoperability and ensure alignment with the Strategic
Master Plan for Information Technology;

(f)  Identify and
recommend to the ITS Board opportunities for enterprise information technology
services, system consolidation, shared platform adoption, cloud modernization
and reduction of redundant or obsolete systems;

(g)  Collaborate with
the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer to ensure that all
information technology enterprise architecture standards incorporate statewide
cybersecurity requirements;

(h)  Ensure, as
applicable, that information technology enterprise architecture requirements
and standards are incorporated as minimum requirements in all solicitations for
the procurement of data, information technology systems, software,
telecommunications, cloud services and related services;

(i)  Provide guidance
and technical assistance to agencies for planning and implementing technology
solutions that comply with enterprise architecture requirements, as
appropriate;

(j)  Prepare and submit
periodic reports on information technology enterprise architecture compliance,
statewide technology alignment, and modernization opportunities to the ITS
Board, CIO Council and the chairpersons of the Technology Committees of the
Mississippi State Senate and House of Representatives; and

(k)  Promulgate policies,
rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

(5)  Each state agency's
executive director or agency head shall:

(a)  Align, as
applicable, the agency's technology plans, investments and systems with the
statewide information technology enterprise architecture standards established
by ITS;

(b)  Participate, to
the fullest extent feasible, in the statewide Technology Optimization Program
and utilize enterprise services and shared platforms in lieu of standalone or duplicative
systems specific to the agency;

(c)  Submit all
proposed information technology projects, acquisitions or system changes to ITS
for review prior to any solicitation, procurement, contract amendment or
implementation, as determined by ITS;

(d)  Provide timely,
complete and accurate information for inclusion in the statewide information
technology enterprise application portfolio;

(e)  Develop or adopt,
implement and maintain internal agency information technology architecture
guidelines that support the statewide enterprise architecture standards; and

(f)  Ensure that all
solicitations, contracts, amendments and technology initiatives undertaken by
the agency incorporate and comply with statewide information technology
enterprise architecture requirements.

(6)  The Technology
Optimization Program shall be managed by ITS and externally supported by the
Chief Information Officer ("CIO") Council established in Section 25-53-281.
The CIO Council shall provide guidance on statewide enterprise architecture
standards, identify shared opportunities, support interagency collaboration and
provide recommendations on information technology enterprise architecture
compliance and exceptions.  The ITS Board shall provide statutory oversight of
statewide information technology policies, standards, planning and
procurements.

(7)  Records and
documentation generated or meetings that occur pursuant to this section that
contain sensitive information related to security, infrastructure or statewide
information technology architecture shall be exempt from the requirements of
the Mississippi Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act.

(8)  The provisions of this
section shall be implemented in a phased manner according to timelines
established by ITS.  All state agencies must comply with the requirements of
this section.

(9)  Any information
technology acquisition made on behalf of or by ITS for purposes of shared use,
the following entities may utilize such acquisitions or contracts in accordance
with ITS rules and procedures:

(a)  State agencies;

(b)  Public and private
institutions of higher learning;

(c)  Local political
subdivisions of the state, including governing authorities; and

(d)  Community and junior
colleges.

(10)  ITS is authorized to
receive donations, grants and other funding from any public or private source
that may be available to support its mission.  Any funds donated or received
for this purpose shall be deposited in the Technology Innovation Fund.

(11)  ITS is authorized to
develop and implement an internship, fellowship or other related programs for
the purposes of strengthening a network of professionals committed to the
mission of ITS as provided in Section 25-53-1 et seq., and by fostering
innovation and supporting research and practice in the field of information
technology in Mississippi state government.

(12)  All funds designated
by agencies for procurement of information technology provided by ITS to its
customers for shared use shall be paid into the ITS Revolving Fund, which
monies shall be used by ITS for payment to vendors for hardware, software or
services acquired.  Payments due from such agency shall be paid, transferred or
allocated into the ITS Revolving Fund pursuant to a schedule established by
ITS.  In the event such sums are not paid by the defined payment period, the
Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration shall issue
a requisition for a warrant to draw such amount as may be due from any funds
appropriated for the use of the agency which has failed to make the payment as
agreed.

(13)  ITS is hereby
authorized to exercise all powers necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
section.

SECTION 2.  Section 1
of this act shall be codified in Chapter 53, Title 25, Mississippi Code of
1972.

SECTION 3.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.