SF 1243

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/12/2013 08:48am

A bill for an act
relating to technology accessibility; creating an advisory committee;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 16E.0475.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 16E.0475, is amended to read:

16E.0475 ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS
FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY.

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

(a) The Advisory Committee for Technology
Standards for Accessibility and Usability consists of deleted text begin ten deleted text end new text begin 12 new text end members, appointed as follows:

(1) the state chief information officer, or the state chief information officer's designee;

(2) a representative from State Services for the Blind, appointed by the commissioner
of employment and economic development;

(3) the commissioner of administration, or the commissioner's designee;

(4) a representative selected by the Minnesota system of technology to achieve
results program;

(5) a representative selected by the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and
Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans;

(6) the commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee;

(7) the commissioner of health, or the commissioner's designee;

(8) the commissioner of human services, or the commissioner's designee;

(9) one representative from the Minnesota judicial system designated by the chief
justice; and

(10) one staff member from the legislature, appointed by the chair of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission.

(b) new text begin The advisory committee members listed under paragraph (a) shall recommend
two representatives with disabilities from the public who have expertise in accessible
technology and usability for membership, who must be approved and appointed by the
state chief information officer. The representatives will serve up to two years.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end The appointing authorities under this subdivision must use their best efforts to
ensure that the membership of the advisory committee includes at least new text begin four appointees
with disabilities, including at least new text end one representative who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or
deafblind and at least one representative who is blind.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The advisory committee shall elect a chair from its membership.

Subd. 2.

Duties.

(a) The advisory committee shall:

(1) new text begin assist the state chief information officer, or the state chief information officer's
designee, in developing a multiyear strategic plan for improving technology accessibility
and usability, which shall include goals and objectives for each year;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end review processes to be used for the evaluation or certification of accessibility of
technology against accessibility standards;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end review the exception process and thresholds for any deviation from the
accessibility standards;

deleted text begin (3) identify, in consultation with state agencies serving Minnesotans with disabilities,
resources for training and technical assistance for state agency staff, including instruction
regarding compliance with accessibility standards;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) convene customer groups composed of individuals with disabilities to assist in
implementation of accessibility standards;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end review customer comments about accessibility and usability issues collected
by deleted text begin State Services for the Blind deleted text end new text begin the Office of Enterprise Technology new text end ;

deleted text begin (6) develop proposals for funding captioning of live videoconferencing, live
Webcasts, Web streaming, podcasts, and other emerging technologies;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (7) provide advice and recommendations regarding the technology accessibility
program operation and objectives;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end review new text begin applications for grants supporting accessibility new text end and new text begin usability activities
and new text end make recommendations deleted text begin regarding individual agency accessibility plans deleted text end new text begin to the
Legislative Coordinating Commission new text end ;

deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end review and make recommendations regarding new or amended new text begin technology
new text end accessibility standards and policies;

deleted text begin (10) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end review and make recommendations regarding assessments of progress in
implementing new text begin technology new text end accessibility deleted text begin standards deleted text end new text begin and usability standards new text end ; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (8) serve as a strategic resource for the chief information officer and staff in
developing and implementing policies, practices, and otherwise operationalizing
technology accessibility and usability throughout the executive branch; and
new text end

deleted text begin (11) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end consult with the chief information officer, if the chief information officer
determines that any new text begin technology new text end accessibility standard poses an undue burden to the state.

(b) The deleted text begin advisory committee deleted text end new text begin state chief information officer, or the state chief
information officer's designee, new text end shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state technology systems by January
15 new text begin , 2014, and new text end each year new text begin thereafter new text end regarding the deleted text begin findings, progress, and recommendations
made by deleted text end new text begin progress of new text end the new text begin multiyear plan. The new text end advisory committee deleted text begin under this subdivision.
The report deleted text end shall deleted text begin include any draft legislation necessary to implement deleted text end new text begin review and comment
on new text end the deleted text begin committee's recommendations deleted text end new text begin report new text end .

Subd. 3.

Terms, compensation, and removal.

The terms, compensation, and
removal of members are governed by section 15.059.

Subd. 4.

Expiration.

This section expires June 30, deleted text begin 2013 deleted text end new text begin 2019 new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS MINNESOTA FUND;
APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin In addition to the appropriation authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 237.52, the
following amounts are appropriated from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund:
new text end

new text begin (1) $290,000 each year is appropriated to the chief information officer for the
purpose of coordinating technology accessibility and usability; and
new text end

new text begin (2) $150,000 each year is appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission
for the purpose of providing captioning of legislative activity on the commission's Web
site and for a consolidated access fund for other state agencies.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end