MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: State Affairs
By: Representative Zuber
AN ACT TO MODERNIZE PROCUREMENT AND DIGITAL SERVICES IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO CREATE THE PROCUREMENT MODERNIZATION ADVISORY COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE CLOUD STORAGE CENTER FOR STATE AGENCIES; TO IMPLEMENT STRATEGIC INITIATIVES FOR DATA INTEGRATION, CYBERSECURITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT STATEWIDE DIGITAL SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and cited as the "Statewide Digital Services and Procurement Modernization Act."
SECTION 2. The purpose of this act is to:
(a) Facilitate the modernization of procurement processes across state government to ensure efficiency, transparency and cost effectiveness;
(b) Establish a centralized cloud storage center to standardize and secure state data management systems;
(c) Strengthen statewide cybersecurity measures;
(d) Promote integration of data systems across state, county and municipal government to enhance interoperability; and
(e) Improve technological infrastructure and digital services to advance the efficiency of government operations.
SECTION 3. (1) There is hereby created the Procurement Modernization Advisory Council to assist and advise on the modernization of procurement processes across state government and oversee the implementation of statewide digital services and infrastructure improvements. The plan's progress shall be annually measured to ensure consistent alignment with the council's established goals and continuous improvement in efficiency, transparency and vendor accessibility.
(2) The council shall consist of the following nine (9) members:
(a) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, who shall serve as the council's chairperson;
(b) The Director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN), or his or her designee;
(c) The Commissioner of Revenue, or his or her designee;
(d) The Director of the Cybercrimes Division of the Attorney General's Office, or his or her designee;
(e) The Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his or her designee;
(f) A representative from the Mississippi Association of Supervisors with expertise in technology and data systems appointed by the Governor;
(g) A representative from the Mississippi Municipal League with expertise in procurement processes appointed by the Governor;
(h) A private-sector technology expert with experience in cybersecurity or cloud systems appointed by the Governor; and
(i) A representative from an accredited Mississippi research university with expertise in system programming or data management appointed by the Governor.
(3) The attendance of five (5) members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting official business of the council. Members shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to per diem and reimbursement for mileage and actual expenses for attending official council meetings. The Chairperson shall call the first meeting within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act.
(4) The council shall:
(a) Oversee the transition of state agencies to the centralized cloud storage center;
(b) Provide recommendations for procurement modernization, including electronic procurement systems;
(c) Develop a three-year strategic plan for cybersecurity improvements across state systems; and
(d) Ensure the integration of interoperable data systems for state, county and municipal governments.
SECTION 4. (1) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) shall establish a centralized cloud storage center to serve as a unified platform for all state agencies. The system must adhere to best practices for scalability, security and reliability.
(2) (a) All state agencies shall transition to the centralized cloud storage system by July 1, 2026.
(b) MDITS shall work with county and municipal governments to support their integration into the system within three (3) years of initial implementation, subject to readiness and available resources to support so doing.
(3) MDITS shall establish a competitive process to select cloud service providers based on cost, security, reliability, scale and capacity. Nothing in this act shall mandate the selection of a specific service provider for cloud storage services.
SECTION 5. (1) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall:
(a) Establish and enforce cybersecurity standards for state agencies, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and best practices;
(b) Implement 24/7 monitoring of critical state systems; and
(c) Conduct regular audits of agency compliance with cybersecurity protocols.
(2) MDITS shall:
(a) Lead efforts to integrate data systems across state, county and municipal levels of government;
(b) Establish standardized data formats to ensure interoperability; and
(c) Develop secure data-sharing platforms to facilitate efficient communication between agencies.
(3) MDITS is authorized and directed to take all necessary steps to establish a dedicated division for statewide digital services to all state agencies, with support systems for the integration of county and municipal political subdivisions. The division shall:
(a) Provide technical assistance to agencies during the transition to cloud services;
(b) Offer training programs for agency personnel to effectively use new systems; and
(c) Develop and maintain systems for electronic procurement and other modernized processes.
(4) MDITS is authorized to employ personnel with expertise in cloud systems, cybersecurity and data integration.
(5) MDITS shall provide annual progress reports to the Legislature on the implementation of the cloud storage center and modernization efforts, detailing:
(a) Progress on cloud storage implementation;
(b) Cybersecurity enhancements; and
(c) Cost savings achieved through procurement modernization.
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.