Overview
Title
To require the reduction of the reliance and expenditures of the Federal Government on legacy information technology systems, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants the government to stop using old computer systems and make plans to use newer ones, but it doesn't give extra money to do this and stops being a rule six years after starting.
Summary AI
The bill S. 2032, titled the "Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2023", aims to decrease the Federal Government's reliance on outdated information technology systems. It requires each federal agency to inventory its current legacy IT systems and develop a plan to modernize them within a certain timeframe. The Act outlines specific criteria for agencies to follow when identifying and updating outdated systems, and establishes oversight protocols to ensure compliance. It also highlights that no additional funds are appropriated for this initiative and introduces a sunset clause, making the Act ineffective six years post-enactment.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2023," aims to address the Federal Government's reliance on outdated information technology (IT) systems. The bill mandates that federal agencies inventory their legacy IT systems and develop strategies for modernization. Each agency's Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible for compiling an inventory of these systems and updating it periodically. In addition to inventory requirements, the bill calls for agency heads to create five-year plans to modernize these outdated technologies. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with issuing guidance and templates for the effective implementation of these requirements. Notably, the bill prohibits new funding for these actions and includes a sunset clause, terminating the Act's effects six years after enactment.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several critical issues are identified in the bill's provisions. One significant problem is the lack of a clear definition or criteria for what constitutes a "legacy information technology system." This ambiguity could lead to inconsistent applications across different federal agencies, potentially impacting the effectiveness of the modernization process. Additionally, the bill requires updates to the inventory every five years, which may not be frequent enough to account for rapid technological changes, potentially hindering timely and effective upgrades or replacements.
The bill's exemption for national security systems is broad and lacks specific oversight, which could lead to misuse or lack of accountability. Meanwhile, the prohibition of new funds for the implementation could limit the bill's effectiveness, especially if agencies require additional financial resources to achieve desired modernization goals. Lastly, the extended timeline for the Comptroller General to report findings may delay necessary adjustments to the implementation process.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this bill could ultimately result in a more efficient and modern government IT infrastructure, potentially improving the delivery of public services and enhancing overall governmental efficiency. Modernized systems could lead to faster processing times for services and more reliable government operations. However, inadequate funding and ambiguous definitions might slow progress and limit benefits to citizens.
Impact on Stakeholders
Federal Agencies: Agencies might experience increased administrative burdens to comply with the inventory and planning requirements. These responsibilities could stretch existing resources, especially without additional funding provided by the bill. Agencies with greater legacy system shares might face significant challenges and costs associated with modernization.
Technology Vendors: Vendors could see new opportunities as agencies seek to replace outdated systems. However, inconsistencies in defining "legacy systems" might affect the vendor market differently, depending on each agency's interpretation and prioritization of modernization efforts.
National Security Interests: The broad exemption for national security systems could both ensure operational security and lead to potential gaps in accountability, depending on how these exemptions are managed.
Policy Makers and Oversight Bodies: They will need to closely monitor the Act’s implementation and effectiveness. The lack of new funding and rigorous oversight might put pressure on these bodies to ensure that agencies achieve the Act's objectives within existing budgets.
The mixed impacts highlighted above underscore the need for careful consideration and continuous oversight to ensure that the bill meets its objectives without unforeseen negative consequences.
Issues
The lack of a clear mechanism for determining what constitutes a 'legacy information technology system' (Section 5) may lead to inconsistent interpretations across various agencies, affecting the uniformity of how inventories and modernization plans are created and executed.
The requirement to update the inventory of legacy systems only every five years (Section 3) may result in outdated information, given the rapid pace of technological change, potentially leading to ineffective or inefficient modernization efforts.
The exemption for national security systems (Section 7) is broad and lacks specific oversight measures, which could allow misuse or lack of accountability for exempted systems.
The bill prohibits the allocation of new funds for its implementation (Section 8), which could limit the effectiveness of its measures if additional funding is needed, potentially leading to inadequate financial resources for modernization efforts.
The timeline of three years for the Comptroller General to report on the implementation of the Act (Section 6) is extensive and might delay addressing any issues that arise from the Act's implementation, hindering timely improvements.
The absence of a defined term for 'sensitive information' (Section 7) may lead to varying interpretations by different agencies, which could compromise the security of certain information technology systems.
There is no mention of oversight or accountability mechanisms for implementation directives issued by the Office of Management and Budget (Section 5), posing a risk of inefficient or non-compliant application of the guidance across agencies.
The sunset clause (Section 8) could introduce uncertainties for programs requiring more than six years to yield results, potentially disrupting long-term modernization plans and investments.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section explains that the official name for this law is the "Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2023".
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for key terms used in a bill, including roles like the Administrator of General Services, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and roles like the Chief Information Officer, as well as terms related to information technology systems, funds, and government committees involved in oversight.
3. Legacy information technology system inventory Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires that each agency's Chief Information Officer create an inventory of all legacy information technology systems within a year of the law's enactment and update it every five years. This inventory should include details like the system’s name, its purpose, costs, and future plans for updates or retirement. The information must be available upon request to various governmental bodies for transparency.
4. Agency legacy information technology systems modernization plans Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires agency heads to create a plan for updating old information technology systems within two years of the law's enactment, and every five years after that. The plan must list current outdated systems, prioritize which ones need updates or disposal, outline steps for these changes, and include any other necessary details like costs and adaptability, with a report shared with Congress.
5. Role of the Office of Management and Budget Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the responsibilities of the Office of Management and Budget, requiring the Director to issue guidance within 180 days after the enactment of the Act. This guidance will cover how to identify old technology systems, and provide templates for creating inventories and modernization plans, as well as any other necessary instructions to implement the Act effectively.
6. Comptroller General review Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Comptroller General is required to submit a report within three years of the act's enactment to specific Senate and House committees. This report will cover how the act and its amendments are being implemented, how they work with existing technology modernization efforts, and any other relevant government programs.
7. Protection of sensitive information; exemption of national security systems Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section explains that the Act does not require agency leaders to share sensitive information that is already protected by other laws or that could threaten the security of federal information systems. Additionally, the Act does not require agency leaders to inventory, report on, or transfer any national security systems.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The short title of this law is the “Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2023.”
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section lists definitions for various terms used in the act, such as "Administrator," which refers to the head of General Services, and "Agency," meaning an agency described in a specific part of the U.S. Code. It also defines roles like the "Chief Information Officer," "Comptroller General," and "Director," as well as terms related to technology, including "Information Technology," "National Security System," and funds for technological updates.
3. Legacy information technology system inventory Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Each agency's Chief Information Officer must create a list of outdated tech systems they use within a year and then every five years. This list should include details like the system’s name, use, cost, and future plans for updates. If asked, agencies must share this list with Congress or oversight bodies.
4. Agency legacy information technology systems modernization plans Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that within two years of the law’s enactment, and every five years thereafter, each agency must create a plan to update or replace old information technology systems. This plan should include a list of these systems, plans for updates or replacements, and other relevant information, and must be submitted to Congress and specific committees.
5. Role of the Office of Management and Budget Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that the Director, working with the Office of Electronic Government, must issue guidance within 180 days of the Act's passage. This guidance will help identify outdated technology, provide tools for creating required inventories and modernization plans, and offer additional instructions needed for effectively implementing the Act.
6. Comptroller General review Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Comptroller General must provide a report within three years of this Act's enactment to specific Senate and House committees. The report will evaluate the Act's implementation and how it works with various government technology programs and policies.
7. Protection of sensitive information; exemption of national security systems Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section ensures that heads of agencies are not required to share sensitive information that could be protected by law or risk national security. It also makes clear that agencies are not authorized to manage or transfer national security systems, nor are they allowed to transfer legacy technology to China or entities controlled by it.
8. No new funds; sunset Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section of the bill, it is stated that no extra money will be given to support the actions mentioned in this Act. Additionally, the Act will no longer be effective or enforceable six years after it becomes law.