MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Robertson

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DIRECTING ALL STATE AGENCIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE STATUS REPORTS ON YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE FOR MISSION CRITICAL APPLICATIONS AND INTERFACES AND DIRECTING THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO DEVELOP STATUS REPORTING PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULES AND REPORT PERIODICALLY TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, because of a design feature in many electronic systems, a large number of activities in the public and private sectors could be at risk beginning in the Year 2000; and

WHEREAS, some computer systems and other electronic devices will misinterpret the year "00" as 1900, rather than 2000; and

WHEREAS, unless appropriate action is taken, this flaw, known as the Year 2000 conversion problem, hereinafter referred to as the "Y2K problem," may cause systems that support critical government functions dependent on electronic systems to compute erroneously or simply not operate; and

WHEREAS, minimizing the Y2K problem will require a major technological and managerial effort, and it is critical that Mississippi government do its part in addressing this challenge:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That each agency shall assure that no critical state program experiences disruption because of the Y2K problem; assist and cooperate with other federal, state and local governments to address the Y2K problem where those governments depend on Mississippi information or information technology or where Mississippi government is dependent on those governments to perform critical missions; and cooperate with the private sector operators of critical national and local systems, including the banking and financial system, the telecommunications system, the public health system, the transportation system and the electric power generation system, in addressing the Y2K problem.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That each administrative head of each agency shall assure that efforts to address the Y2K problem receive the highest priority attention in the agency; monitor progress of agency's mission critical applications and associated interfaces with other government or business entities to assure timely Year 2000 compliance; and provide status reports on Y2K compliance for mission critical applications and interfaces as requested by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall develop status reporting procedures and schedules and shall report periodically to the Governor and the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services' staff is available to advise state agencies, boards, departments and commissions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be provided to the director or governing body of every state agency, board, department and commission.