State of New Jersey
Executive Order #87

Governor Christine Todd Whitman

This executive order modifies EO #84 Kean.

WHEREAS, rapidly changing technology and increasing citizen expectations have made the effective use of information technology a critical element of governance; and

WHEREAS, information technology provides a powerful tool that can transform the ability of citizens and businesses to access government information and services and improve the breadth and quality of those services; and

WHEREAS, the State must become more flexible and responsive in its use of information technology to meet citizen expectations and the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, the State must commit to building an information technology infrastructure that supports the effective use of information technology throughout State government; and

WHEREAS, the State must integrate and coordinate information technology planning and budgeting on a statewide basis to effectively realize operating efficiencies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby established an Office of Information Technology that is allocated in but not of the Department of the Treasury. The Office of Information Technology shall be independent of any supervision by the Department.

2. The Office of Telecommunications and Information Systems created by Executive order No. 84 (Kean) is abolished and all of its functions, powers, and duties, except as herein otherwise provided, are continued in the Office of Information Technology established under this Executive Order.

3. All appropriations and other moneys available and to become available to the Office of Telecommunications and Information Systems are hereby continued in the Office of Information Technology and shall be available for the objects and purposes for which appropriated, subject to any terms or conditions of such appropriations.

4. Employees of the Office of Telecommunications and Information Systems shall become employees of the Office of Information Technology and shall retain their present employment status under Title 11A and their collective bargaining status. Future employees of the Office of Information Technology shall be hired consistent with Title 11A.

5. The Office of Information Technology shall be headed by a Governing Board, which shall meet at least quarterly and shall consist of seven members as follows:

a. The Chief Information Officer, as the chair;

b. The State Treasurer or designee;

c. Two voting Executive Branch agency members, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor and until a successor is appointed; and

d. Three voting public members, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor, who shall be New Jersey residents employed by, owners of, or members of the Board of Directors of a business that is located in New Jersey. Public members shall possess both business and information technology leadership expertise. Public members shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

6. The Governing Board shall set policy for the Office of Information Technology, review and approve the annual budget request for the Office of Information Technology, and appoint and advise the Chief Technology Officer. The Governing Board shall review and approve the strategic plan for the Office of Information Technology and shall ensure that such plan is consistent with the strategic direction established by the Executive Branch agencies as embodied in the Statewide Strategic Plan for Information Technology.

7. The Chief Information Officer, working with Executive Branch agencies, shall develop and implement the Statewide Strategic Plan for Information Technology and shall lead, coordinate and integrate statewide information technology policies and activities.

8. The Office of Information Technology shall be managed by a Chief Technology Officer, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governing Board. The Chief Technology Officer shall have technical proficiency and managerial expertise in the information technology field and shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Information Technology. The Chief Technology Officer shall develop a strategic plan for the Office of Information Technology that is consistent with the Statewide Strategic Plan for Information Technology.

9. The Chief Technology Officer shall chair the Information Technology Coordinating Team, consisting of the Chief Information Officer from each Executive Branch agency. The Information Technology Coordinating Team shall work cooperatively with the Chief Information Officer to develop and implement the Statewide Strategic Plan for Information Technology.

10. All agencies of the State government are directed to cooperate fully with the Office of Information Technology and with each other to ensure the effective use of information technology in State government.

11. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal,
this 4th day of September in the
Year of Our Lord, One Thousand
Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight,
and of the Independence of the
United States, the Two Hundred
and Twenty-Third

/s/ Christine Todd Whitman
Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ John J. Farmer, Jr.
Chief Counsel to the Governor