01/28/1999 03:29 PM Senate STA

             SB  36-YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. HODGINS presented SB 36 for Senator Ward, the sponsor.  SB 36                                                               
will require any new State of Alaska government computer hardware                                                               
or software purchases to be Y2K compatible.  Each product or item                                                               
to be delivered or developed under a state contract must be able to                                                             
interact or accurately process data from, into, during, and between                                                             
the 20th and 21st centuries when used in accordance with the                                                                    
documentation provided by the contractor.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON referred to language on line 11, and asked if SB 36                                                               
may have the unintended consequence of affecting existing contracts                                                             
for professional services by requiring those contractors who use                                                                
computer systems to comply and certify that all of their systems                                                                
are Y2K compatible.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. HODGINS replied the intent of the language is that only new                                                                 
purchases and services will be affected.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Number 398                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WARD explained that the language in SB 36 is from the                                                                   
National Conference of State Legislatures but the bill does not                                                                 
include language to hold the state harmless.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MACKIE thought Senator Elton was referring to the                                                                       
contractors themselves having to be certified since line 11 refers                                                              
to "each product or service."  He stated the intent should be the                                                               
equipment or the software or hardware programs, not the individuals                                                             
selling the programs.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WARD announced he would hold SB 36 in committee to check                                                                
with the legal drafter about the intent of the language on line 11                                                              
on page 1.