HB 1197 – AS INTRODUCED
2006 SESSION
05/01
HOUSE BILL 1197
AN ACT establishing a committee to study requiring state government to consider using open source software when acquiring new software.
SPONSORS: Rep. Cataldo, Straf 3; Rep. Maxfield, Merr 6
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
This bill establishes a committee to study requiring state government to consider using open source software when acquiring new software.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
06-2358
05/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six
AN ACT establishing a committee to study requiring state government to consider using open source software when acquiring new software.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the feasibility of requiring state government to consider using open source software when acquiring new software.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties.
I. The committee shall study the costs and benefits associated with using open source software on the state’s computer systems. The committee shall consider whether the use of open source software would be more secure, cost-effective, and adaptable than closed source software, and shall address the following questions:
(a) Does open source software deliver more reliability and security relative to its cost than proprietary software?
(b) Which government agencies could benefit from a transition to open source software?
(c) Would it be feasible for certain agencies to begin a transition to the use of open source software?
(d) Should the state adopt a purchasing policy that requires certain government agencies to consider open source software when acquiring new software?
II. The committee shall solicit information and testimony from the office of information technology and from any other persons or organizations with information or expertise relevant to the committee’s objectives.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation, including a purchasing policy relative to open software procurement, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2006.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.