Florida will soon have its own information-technology agency responsible for large computer projects and setting technology policy for the Sunshine State.
By a 37-0 vote on Friday, the Senate approved HB 7073, which creates the Agency for State Technology, a part of the Department of Management Services.
The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Scott.
The new organization will expect to employ 25 people, and with a budget of $4.8 million in the first year.
Former Yahoo executive Sen. Jeremy Ring spent four years advancing the agency, with limited success. That changed after the state’s glitch-plagued $63 million CONNECT unemployment benefits website, as well as high-profile security breaches at Target and other retailers.
State Technology will have executive branch level responsibilities, and will be in charge of oversight for all technology projects over $10 million, as well reviewing all state IT purchases over $250,000.
