JLARC Ongoing Oversight of IT Outsourcing (language only)

Item 30 #1s

Language
Page 15, following line 14, insert:
"E.1. The General Assembly hereby designates the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to review and evaluate the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) on a continuing basis and to make such special studies and reports as may be requested by the General Assembly, the House Appropriations Committee, or the Senate Finance Committee.
2. The areas of review and evaluation to be conducted by the Commission shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) VITA's infrastructure outsourcing contracts and any amendments thereto; (ii) adequacy of VITA's planning and oversight responsibilities, including VITA's oversight of information technology projects and the security of governmental information; (iii) cost-effectiveness and adequacy of VITA's procurement services and its oversight of the procurement activities of State agencies.
3. For the purpose of carrying out its duties and notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, JLARC shall have the legal authority to access the information, records, facilities, and employees of VITA.
4. Confidential or proprietary records of VITA or Northrop Grumman provided to JLARC shall be exempted from the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).
5. The Chairman of JLARC may appoint a permanent subcommittee to provide guidance and direction for VITA review and evaluation activities, subject to the full Commission's supervision and such guidelines as the Commission itself may provide.
6. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate as requested by JLARC in the performance of its duties under this authority."

Explanation
(This amendment directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to continue to provide ongoing oversight of Virginia's information technology outsourcing arrangement using the same model currently utilized by JLARC for ongoing review of the Virginia Retirement System.)