REPORT OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

H. B. No. 818: Statewide scientific information; extend deadline for strategic plan for statewide scientific information management system.

SECTION 1. Section 49-37-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-37-9. (1) Only in the event that the Mississippi Scientific Information Management System Coordinating Council is funded pursuant to appropriation by the Mississippi State Legislature, the council shall develop and prepare a strategic plan for the development and implementation of a statewide scientific information management system. In the event that the Mississippi State Legislature does not appropriate funds for the support of the council for Fiscal Year 2002, any contracts or instruments executed in connection with such a strategic plan shall be invalid to the extent that there is no funding for the effectuation of such contracts or instruments.

(2) If a strategic plan is developed in accordance with subsection (1), it shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) A detailed analysis of the sources, types, amounts and methods by which scientific information is currently collected in the state and of methods or systems currently used to manage that scientific information;

(b) An identification of the current costs of collection, management, analysis, updating, use and dissemination of scientific information in the state with particular emphasis on costs to state agencies;

(c) A description of current efforts by agencies and organizations collecting scientific information to provide broad access to that information;

(d) An identification of planned scientific information management programs and needs and an evaluation of how those planned programs or needs may be met or integrated into the statewide scientific information management system;

(e) A clearly-defined, comprehensive statement of the mission, goals and objectives of the statewide scientific information management system;

(f) A detailed analysis of the benefits and capabilities of a statewide scientific information management system;

(g) A plan for the development and implementation of a statewide scientific information management system in a phased manner;

(h) A timeline for the development and implementation of a statewide scientific information management system;

(i) A detailed analysis and estimate of the costs for development and implementation of the statewide scientific information management system and a recommended method for funding the development and implementation of the system; * * *

(j) A recommendation of appropriate policies and standards for use in management of scientific information and for providing access to that information;

(k) An analysis of information accuracy and quality issues, ease of access issues, training and technical support issues and interagency coordination issues; and

(l) Any other information the coordinating council deems appropriate.

(3) If a strategic plan is developed in accordance with subsection (1), upon its completion, the coordinating council shall provide copies to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairmen of the Senate Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Chairmen of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, the Legislative Budget Office, the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Committee and the Legislative Reference Bureau.

(4) The provisions of this section shall be repealed from and after July 1, 2002.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-37-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATEWIDE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STRATEGIC PLAN SHALL BE DEVELOPED AND PREPARED ONLY IN THE EVENT THAT THE MISSISSIPPI SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM COORDINATING COUNCIL IS FUNDED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.