Joint Commission on Technology and Science

June 23, 2010

Delegate May, chair, began the meeting by reminding members and the audience of the important work that the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) has undertaken in the past in providing background and investigational work on technology-related issues for the General Assembly and stated that he looked forward to the Commission continuing this work during the 2010 interim.

Delegate May also welcomed Delegate Kathy J. Byron to the Commission, who fills the seat left vacant by Delegate Sam Nixon. Delegate May and Senator Locke were then re-elected chair and vice-chair, respectively.

Staff Update

2010 Legislation

Staff provided the membership with an overview of technology and science-related legislation that was adopted by the 2010 Session of the General Assembly. Of particular note were:

• HB 1 - Addresses constitutional concerns in Virginia's "spam" law.
• HB 433 - Addresses collection of social security numbers by government agencies.
• HB 676/SB 23 - Removes sunset on the Aerospace Advisory Council, as well as changes membership and responsibilities.
• HB 709 - Requires contracts and purchase orders for textbooks to allow for the purchase of electronic textbooks.
• HB 1034/SB 236 - Reorganizes IT governance in the Commonwealth by making the Chief Information Officer a gubernatorial appointee, abolishing the Information Technology Investment Board and replacing it with an advisory council comprised primarily of agency representatives, and making other changes to IT governance.
• HB 1039 - Requires notification to residents of the Commonwealth of a database breach involving medical information held by a state or local government entity.
• SB 241 - Establishes an Open Education Curriculum Board.

A complete list of technology and science-related legislation and bill summaries are available on the JCOTS website along with the meeting materials from this meeting.

Referred Bills and Advisory Committees

The General Assembly referred five bills to JCOTS for study during the interim:

• HB 670/SB 599 - Addresses installation of electronic tracking devices on motor vehicles without an owner's consent.
• HB 716/SB 242 - Addresses ownership of intellectual property created by state employees.
• HB 920 - Amends definition of a computer in the Virginia Computer Crimes Act to include cellular phones and other wireless telecommunications devices.

In light of these bills, and other topics of study suggested by members of JCOTS, the following five advisory committees will be assembled during the 2010 interim:

• Privacy Advisory Committee.
• Intellectual Property Advisory Committee.
• Computer Crimes Advisory Committee.
• Energy Advisory Committee.
• Intelligent Transportation Advisory Committee.

The Privacy Advisory Committee will review the electronic tracking devices bills, as well as survey the current state of the law of privacy in Virginia and address any lingering social security number issues stemming from legislation to go into effect July 1, 2010, regarding the collection of social security numbers by government agencies.

The Intellectual Property Advisory Committee will seek to continue the work begun last year with the Secretary of Administration to establish guidelines regarding ownership of intellectual property created by state employees.

The Computer Crimes Advisory Committee will review the technical definitions set forth in the Virginia Computer Crimes Act, including but not limited to the definition of a computer, and ensure that the definitions are keeping up with changes in technology.

The Energy Advisory Committee will seek to explore clean and renewable energy sources.

Finally, an Intelligent Transportation Advisory Committee will seek to find ways that intelligent transportation technologies can be used to improve transportation in the Commonwealth.

A solicitation for applications for participation on each of these advisory committees was distributed after the meeting to the JCOTS mailing list and notice was posted on the JCOTS website.

In addition to monitoring these advisory committees, JCOTS staff will also continue to monitor the activities of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), the Virginia Aerospace Advisory Council, and the Virginia Broadband Advisory Council. Presentations at JCOTS meetings during the interim will include an update on the state of electronic medical records in the Commonwealth, the state of broadband deployment in the Commonwealth, and an update on cybersecurity in the public and private sectors.

Presentation

Ken Daley, President of International Development, Transurban USA

Mr. Daley provided an overview and update on electronic tolling technologies. A copy of the entire presentation is available on the JCOTS website.

Next Meeting

The next meeting date will be posted on the Commission's website and the General Assembly website as soon as information is available.

Chairman:
The Hon. Joe May

For information, contact:
Lisa Wallmeyer, DLS Staff