SF 2132

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; directing an assessment
of public access to the Internet and Internet-based
public information and applications.

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

Section 1. new text begin ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO INTERNET-BASED
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Comprehensive assessment. new text end

new text begin The
commissioner of administration, in partnership with an
institution or institutions of higher education located in
Minnesota, shall develop and implement a comprehensive
assessment of public access to Internet-based governmental
information and applications and the availability of Internet
access for citizens to perform other Internet-based activities
such as applying for jobs or citizenship, college entrance
scholarships, and other activities that promote self-sufficiency
and civic participation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Components. new text end

new text begin The assessment must consist of two
components: a random survey of a representative sample of the
public, and a determination of local accessibility to the
Internet via public libraries and other publicly accessible
computers located in schools and other generally accessible
public buildings. The random survey shall be of sufficient size
to allow for geographic breakdowns at the county level with
smaller breakdowns in large population counties. The assessment
must be designed to identify:
new text end

new text begin (1) the skill level of Minnesota residents in being able to
access and actively use Internet-based material, applications,
and interactions;
new text end

new text begin (2) the demographic characteristics of the population
surveyed and the relationship of those characteristics to their
ability to access and use the Internet at home or by publicly
owned and maintained computers;
new text end

new text begin (3) what persons or public agencies the public would most
trust to assist them in accessing Internet-based information and
completing governmental forms, what supports they would require
to interactively use a computer for government interaction, and
their interest or willingness to learn new skills and who they
think should provide that training and support;
new text end

new text begin (4) the access of the general public to Internet connected
publicly owned computers to access public information and
applications in terms of geography, hours, days of the week, and
any time limits on such use;
new text end

new text begin (5) the amount of staff assistance available to assist the
public in using the identified publicly owned computers; and
new text end

new text begin (6) what security concerns would hamper the willingness of
the public to use an Internet-based governmental application.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Participation in assessment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner
of administration shall solicit interest from all Minnesota
institutions of higher education to participate in or lead this
assessment and shall select one or more.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Advisory committee. new text end

new text begin The design and
implementation of this assessment shall be advised by an
E-Government Access Advisory Committee composed of the
commissioner of administration, the commissioner of education,
the state librarian, one representative each from an urban,
suburban, rural and regional center public library appointed by
the Minnesota Library Association, one representative each from
an urban, suburban, rural and regional center city appointed by
the League of Minnesota Cities, a metro and nonmetro
representative appointed by the Association of Minnesota
Counties, one representative appointed by the Minnesota Township
Association, two members of the Minnesota House of
Representatives appointed by the speaker of the house and two
members of the senate appointed by the subcommittee on
committees. The commissioner of administration shall serve as
the chair. Members shall not be paid per diem but must be
reimbursed for expenses as provided in Minnesota Statutes,
section 15.059.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The assessment required by this section
must be completed by May 1, 2006. The E-Government Access
Advisory Committee shall prepare a report summarizing its
findings, current strengths and weaknesses in access to
Internet-based governmental interactions and information, how
best to improve the skills and confidence of the public in using
Internet-based government services, what supports would be
needed to assist the public, how to equitably assist those with
Internet skills or access to have full access to participation
in governmental and self-sufficiency programs, and
recommendations for ensuring equal access to governmental
interactions and information by members of the public. These
recommendations shall address role and funding issues at both
the state and local level. The report shall be presented to the
governor and the legislature by August 1, 2006.
new text end