|
One-Stop Shopping for Government Information
Information Policy and Technology Series
by Anneliese May
Contents
Introduction
States With Operational Systems
States Developing Systems
Characteristics of One-Stop-Shopping Systems
Arguments for Creating a One-Stop Shop for Government
Information
Arguments Against Creating a One-Stop Shop for Government
Information
Conclusion
Table 1: Comparison of Available Information
Table 2: Comparison of Enabling Legislation
Appendix: Network Contacts
Introduction
State and local governments collect, use and manage large volumes of
information. To ensure effective access to government policymaking and
operations and to ensure government accountability, the public needs consistent,
predictable access to government information. This report examines the
approach of states, including Kansas, New Mexico, Indiana, Nebraska and
Georgia, that have recently developed centralized mechanisms for providing
electronic access to government information. These five states have instituted
centralized public/private cooperative systems to provide one-stop computer-based
delivery of government information.
These systems, funded by private donations and subscription revenues,
centralize the management of government information dissemination. These
networks are not a series of hyperlinks among individual agency home pages
on the Internet; they are centralized, electronic, one-stop-shopping sources
for public records and information. Each of the agencies that provides
information through the system enters into an agreement with the centralized
system provider to deliver information electronically on a fee basis. Through
these centralized systems, uniform government information is available
from a variety of agencies.
The backbone of each of these systems is a subscription service, which
offers electronic access to agency records for a fee. The information obtained
through the subscription service is valuable to insurance companies, banks,
lobbyists and other businesses that rely on accurate government records.
The revenue from the subscription service covers the systems' operating
expenses, and part of the revenue is returned to the state or agency. The
states receive a percentage of the networks' revenue because they provide
the needed information. Each system also offers access to information,
such as general agency information, job postings and electronic tax filing,
free of charge over the Internet.
In addition to the five states with operational centralized systems
mentioned above, at least three more states are planning networks. Arkansas
and Virginia have passed legislation and Michigan's governor has issued
an executive order enabling these states to set up centralized networks
to disseminate public information.
The information in this report comes from surveys of network managers
and on-line research conducted during the summer of 1996. A discussion
of arguments both for and against one-stop-shopping systems and a comparison
of the existing networks and their enabling legislation follows.
States with Operational Systems
Five states have centralized public information systems up and running.
Information Network of Kansas, www.ink.org
-
Managed by: Kansas Information Consortium (private, for-profit).
-
Established: Enabling legislation passed in 1990.
-
Operational: Went on-line in 1992, went on the World Wide Web in 1996.
-
Initial costs: $1.5 million, from private investors.
-
Number of subscribers: 15,000 users conducting over 1,000,000 transactions
per month.
-
Subscription fees: $50 per year, plus a transaction fee per record obtained.
Dial-up access costs $0.10 per minute, Internet access is free.
-
Percentage of information offered free: 80 percent is available free via
the Internet.
-
Participating agencies: 44 state and 112 local agencies either connect
their computers directly to INK or upload data onto INK's servers. Agencies
may use the network internally.
-
State receives: All revenue in excess of operating expenses.
GeorgiaNet, www.ganet.state.ga.us/
In October 1996, GeorgiaNet contracted with the National Information
Consortium, a private, for-profit company, to manage the network. The network
remains a state authority under Georgia law. The new management has revamped
the network's presence on the World Wide Web and has expanded the products
and services offered. The information presented in this report reflects
the management and services of GeorgiaNet prior to October 1, 1996.
-
Managed by: GeorgiaNet Authority (state authority).
-
Established: Enabling legislation passed in 1990.
-
Operational: First made bulk motor vehicle records available in 1990. Went
on-line in 1995. Went on the World Wide Web November 1, 1996.
-
Initial costs: $200,000 (for on-line service), from revenues from bulk
sales.
-
Number of subscribers: 1,000.
-
Subscription fees: Basic service costs $75 per year. Certain records or
searches have added fees. Dial-up access is $0.45 per minute or $50 per
month, limited Internet access is free.
-
Percentage of information offered free: Limited information is available
free via the Internet.
-
Participating agencies: Four agencies offer information over the network
and use the network internally.
-
State receives: All revenue in excess of operating expenses.
-
Other: New users can subscribe and download needed software from the network's
website.
Access Indiana Information Network, www.ai.org
or www.state.in.us
-
Managed by: Indian@ Interactive (private, for-profit).
-
Established: Announced by the governor in 1994 based on authority granted
by existing law.
-
Operational: Went on-line November 1995, went on the World Wide Web December
1995.
-
Initial costs: $875,000, from private investors.
-
Number of subscribers: 200.
-
Subscription fees: $50 per year, plus a transaction fee for certain information.
Dial-up access costs $0.10 per minute, Internet access is free.
-
Percentage of information offered free: 95 percent is available free via
the Internet.
-
Participating agencies: 50 agencies offer information via the network and
several more are hyperlinked to the network's website. Agencies may use
the network internally. State receives: All revenue in excess of operating
expenses.
Nebrask@ Online, www.nol.org
-
Managed by: Nebrask@ Interactive (private, for-profit).
-
Established: Nebraska Library Commission contracted with the network manager
to provide electronic access to public records in 1994.
-
Operational: Went on-line February 1995, went on the World Wide Web August
1995.
-
Initial costs: $604,000, from private investors.
-
Number of subscribers: 750+.
-
Subscription fees: $50 per year, plus transaction fees for certain information.
Dial-up access costs $0.12 per minute, Internet access is free.
-
Percentage of information offered free: Almost 90 percent is available
free via the Internet.
-
Participating agencies: 18 agencies provide information over the network
and use the network internally. Others are hyperlinked to the network's
website.
-
State receives: Two percent of gross revenue, plus statutory and other
fees for certain information.
New Mexico Technet, www.nm.org
-
Managed by: New Mexico Technet, Inc. (private, nonprofit).
-
Established: Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs, the University of New
Mexico, New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Institute of Mining
and Industry formed the nonprofit network in 1984.
-
Operational: Went on-line 1985.
-
Initial costs: $5 million-the state provided $1.2 million.
-
Number of subscribers: 8,000.
-
Subscription fees: $50 per year, plus a monthly flat rate for access: 5
hours for $9.95, 50 hours for $24.95, 100 hours for $49.95. Additional
hours cost $1.50 each. Certain records have additional fees.
-
Percentage of information offered free: Most information is available free
via the Internet.
-
Participating agencies: Five agencies, six counties, three local governments.
-
State receives: The state received $500,000 in revenue from the network
in 1995.
-
Other: The network is a major Internet service provider in the state and
will also lease or sell any required hardware to users. New users can register
on-line.
States Developing Systems
At least three states are in the process of starting centralized systems.
Information Network of Arkansas
The Arkansas General Assembly passed a bill in 1995 establishing the
Information Network of Arkansas (INA). The act is modeled after INK's enabling
legislation.
The network will not receive any state funds; start-up and operating
costs will be financed through private donations and subscriptions.
The INA Board of Directors has started the bidding process for a network
manager. The chosen contractor is expected to begin performance on Feb.
13, 1997. INA will probably be similar to INK and Access Indiana-offering
most information free via the Internet and the rest of the information
for a fee to subscribers.
Virginia Information Providers Network
A bill creating the Virginia Information Providers Network Authority
(VIPnet) passed in 1996. The VIPnet legislation is a hybrid of the INK
model and existing Virginia legislation that allows the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) to collect fees for providing electronic access to public
records.
Agencies are not required to participate in VIPnet, but those that do
will receive 50 percent of the sales of their records. (Except for the
DMV, which will receive the full amount from sales of driver's license
and motor vehicle records in accordance with state law.)
Private investors will provide the network's start-up funds, and subscriptions
will cover operational costs. VIPnet will offer both free and fee-based
information over the Internet. The network does not have a timeline for
implementation, but VIPnet has been included as a source of revenue in
the FY 1997 budget. The FY 1997 budget includes an estimate that the network
will provide the state with $700,480 on or before June 30, 1998.
Michigan Information Network
On June 30, 1995, the governor officially announced the Michigan Information
Network (MIN) plan and issued an executive order establishing the MIN Advisory
Board and Office within the Department of Management and Budget under supervision
of the chief information officer.
The MIN plan envisions a network connecting every library, public school,
community college, state university and independent nonprofit college.
Although the focus of the plan is on providing educational resources, the
plan notes that "open access to government information is one of the hallmarks
of a democracy." The plan recommends that state and local agencies make
publications, hearing schedules, testimony, draft legislation, proposed
amendments, enacted legislation, administrative rules, statutes and other
policy information available electronically at no cost or on a cost-recovery
basis.
The governor's executive order establishes the MIN Advisory Board. The
board consists of 15 members appointed by the governor. Its duties include
coordinating and reviewing information for dissemination, deciding whether
to develop the network as a private nonprofit corporation or within state
government and deciding which functions of state government to consolidate
with the MIN office.
Characteristics of One-Stop Shopping
Systems
Public Entity, Private Venture, or Both?
Because of the scarcity of public resources, states have taken advantage
of private initiative when developing centralized systems. Of the operational
networks discussed in this report, only GeorgiaNet is a public entity run
by the state government. The other systems are managed by private organizations.
For example, the Information Network of Kansas (INK), established through
enabling legislation, is managed by a private, for-profit contractor. New
Mexico Technet, in contrast, started as a cooperative project between government
research labs and state universities and is managed by a private nonprofit
corporation.
Centralized networks operate through contracts with their state or state
agencies. For instance, state law requires Kansas agencies to provide information
to INK, whereas Technet has individual contracts with New Mexico agencies
and local governments. The states receive a percentage of the networks'
revenue because they provide the needed information.
Security Measures
In order to keep private information private, providing agencies in
Kansas, Georgia, New Mexico, Nebraska and Indiana determine which information
is suitable for electronic dissemination through an on-line system, based
on the laws and policies in effect in their state.
All of the networks in those states report that they also use password
technology to protect information and subscribers' accounts. Nebrask@ Online,
INK and Access Indiana also use password technology to restrict access
to certain information on a per-user basis, if necessary. Access Indiana
additionally uses encryption and authentication in certain instances, where
appropriate.
Monetary transactions are handled in the following ways:
-
New Mexico Technet and Nebrask@ Online operate secure servers that can
handle sensitive transactions.
-
Access Indiana also operates a secure server and may soon offer a vehicle
registration application that will allow users to pay for the registration
over the Internet.
-
INK is developing a corporate record-filing procedure that will accept
credit card payments using the Netscape Secure Commerce Server on the Internet.
Transferring money is not the only type of sensitive transaction that requires
confidentiality. The very nature of the requested information might call
for precautionary measures. How do the networks treat these records?
-
INK can use electronic footprints to trace requesters' paths through the
network. The manager keeps these audit trails for 10 years for billing
and statistical purposes only. The only INK audit information released
outside the network is motor vehicle records requests, which go to the
Kansas Department of Revenue.
-
Technet keeps audit trails for billing purposes for five years.
-
Nebrask@ Online and Access Indiana permanently maintain, for billing and
statistical purposes, audit information on subscribers' access to information
requiring a transaction fee.
-
GeorgiaNet does not retain this type of record at all.
But how does a network ensure the privacy of these records and the integrity
of government information from the mischievous fingers of a clever computer
hacker?
-
Technet maintains front-end security reviewed by Los Alamos National Labs.
-
Access Indiana's and INK's internal servers each have their own "firewalls."
Software programs also continuously monitor the systems to detect unusual
activity.
-
Access Indiana, INK, and Nebrask@ Online users request agency information
from agency databases, but never directly connect to agency computers.
-
GeorgiaNet uses password technology.
The networks take the following precautions to avoid system downtime:
-
INK reduces the probability of a crash by having several backup systems
that can take over if the main system ever goes down. INK also performs
daily and weekly backups.
-
Technet operates redundant fiber paths and power and cooling systems to
prevent network outages.
-
Nebrask@ Online backs up information daily and will soon add a RAID disk
system for fault-tolerant operation.
-
GeorgiaNet operates redundant systems.
-
Access Indiana backs up data every night, stores the tapes off premises
and operates redundant servers.
User Features
The networks in Kansas, Georgia, New Mexico, Nebraska and Indiana use
graphical user interface and Windows technology to make their systems less
intimidating and more user-friendly. In addition, all of the networks operate
round-the-clock customer support so that users can talk with a real person
about how to use the systems.
Copyrighting the Systems
Currently none of the systems copyright the information they provide.
However, Access Indiana copyrights software and artwork produced by network
staff and licenses it perpetually to the state for use only. GeorgiaNet
owns copyrights to its software, information formulation and presentation.
Technet copyrights its software and licenses it to the participating state
agencies and local governments.
Liability for Inaccurate Information
The agencies of all five states retain ownership of, and liability
for, the information they provide to their state's system. GeorgiaNet,
in addition, carries a liability disclaimer with all information provided.
Staffing the Systems
System managers report that no Nebraska, Kansas, Georgia or Indiana
agencies have terminated employees because of the availability of electronic
access to agency information via the one-stop shopping system. Instead,
agency employees in these states have been reassigned to new positions
within the agency. New Mexico Technet's on-line tax filing program, however,
has resulted in the loss of some part-time data entry positions during
tax time.
Cost of Access
INK, GeorgiaNet, New Mexico Technet, Nebrask@ Online and Access Indiana
have made much information available free of charge. The majority of information
available from these networks does not require a subscription-anyone with
access to the Internet can obtain this information at no additional cost.
The subscription fees for the rest of the available information are determined
in the following ways:
-
NK, GeorgiaNet and Access Indiana determine access fees in consultation
with the public oversight committees established in the networks' enabling
legislation. Fees for particular records are set by the providing agency
or state statute.
-
Nebrask@ Online determines access fees in consultation with the Nebraska
Library Commission, the state agency with which the network has contracted
to provide electronic access services. Fees for particular records are
set by the providing agency or state statute.
-
New Mexico Technet's fees for particular records are determined by the
providing agency.
Arguments for Creating a One-Stop Shop
for Government Information
Supporters of centralized systems emphasize benefits such as:
-
Increased access to government information,
-
Improved cost-efficiency,
-
Improved accuracy of electronically accessible records,
-
Public/private cooperation.
Increased Access to Government Information
Supporters of one-stop-shopping systems note that access to government
information is increased in two ways. First, access is directly increased
through use of the system. For example, citizens in rural and urban areas
will have the same access opportunities, requests can be made at any time,
not just during business hours, and schools and libraries will be able
to provide immediate access for students and researchers.
The second way in which access will increase is a result of the demand
for government information in the private sector. Charging for information
and services that have great value to private businesses allows the government
to provide other, less market-driven information free. Citizens thus benefit
from the sales to the private sector.
Improved Cost-Efficiency
Many state agencies have discovered an efficient and cost-effective
way to provide access to public information-the Internet. However, funding
networking capabilities for each agency is expensive and duplicative. Supporters
of centralized systems ask, why buy a web server for each agency when one
well-managed web server could do the job for all? Centralizing the availability
of electronic public records saves the state money by reducing the amount
of hardware/software and technical expertise needed. In addition, network
proponents note that centralization helps reduce the duplication of records
among agencies.
Improved Accuracy of Electronically Accessible Records
Supporters cite another benefit of these networks: Centralized access
improves the quality and control of on-line public records. Because the
records are being uniformly formatted, reviewed and posted on-line, the
state has more control over the accuracy and integrity of the posted information.
The state relies on the network manager to ensure quality and does not
have to expend resources to monitor each individual agency's home page.
Public/Private Cooperation
Supporters argue that one-stop-shopping systems show how privatization
of information delivery benefits the public. By allowing the private network
manager to handle the technical details, agencies can focus on other aspects
of their public service duties. In addition, the private sector demand
for electronic accessibility to government information makes these systems
an attractive investment for private investors. By contract, the government
receives a percentage of the system revenue merely for providing public
information to the network manager. Therefore, the state can see much greater
returns on electronic public record dissemination for far less technical
effort.
Other Benefits
Proponents cite other possible benefits of one-stop-shopping systems,
including improved communication between government and its citizens, the
reduction of paper records and greater efficiency for the businesses that
rely on government information.
Arguments Against Creating a One-Stop
Shop for Government Information
Critics of statewide centralized networks have raised concerns about:
-
Security questions;
-
Elimination of intermediaries;
-
Legal questions, including copyright and liability for inaccurate information;
-
Effect on agency jobs;
-
Cost of access.
Security Questions
Ensuring the integrity and security of on-line systems requires ongoing
vigilance. As more sophisticated uses and systems develop, states will
have to meet the challenge of providing dependable ways to manage security.
Critics of centralized networks are wary of network security breaches and
emphasize that networks must ensure the security of correspondence and
monetary transactions in order to protect consumers and agencies from computer
fraud or negligent dissemination of private information to third parties.
Elimination of Intermediaries
Traditionally, people needing government information either write,
telephone or physically go to an office to request that information. Speaking
directly with a knowledgeable agency employee can help focus the inquiry
and provide answers to any questions that arise. Critics of centralized
electronic public information systems point out that direct electronic
access to information eliminates this human touch, potentially resulting
in a confusing and frustrating experience for the requester.
Legal Questions
The concerns about centralized networks include legal questions dealing
with copyright, ownership and liability. Many states copyright works produced
under state authority. No one may copyright purely factual information,
such as the "words of law," but the way the facts are arranged or organized
may be copyrighted. Some states copyright statutory compilations and other
similar works. In today's context of public/private cooperative systems,
critics of these centralized public information systems see a need to determine
who owns any copyrights in the network, the state or the private contractor.
Critics of centralized public information systems also wonder about
inaccurate information. When a state disseminates information over a network,
who is liable for any inaccuracies, the network manager or the state?
Effect on Agency Jobs
Computerized public information systems developed from the idea that
centralized electronic access to data would benefit not only the public
but also the agencies. These systems would provide more time for agencies
to fulfill their primary missions and allow them to spend less time answering
information requests that could be easily answered electronically. However,
critics note that there is a possibility that a reduction in agency positions
could result from the implementation of a network.
Cost of Access
Opponents of centralized networks are also concerned about the costs
of access and how fees are set. They raise questions about the practice
of government generating revenue from the sale of public information and
what role the private network managers play in setting fees. They point
out that state statutes often spell out specific fee schedules for access
to public records and that the networks should not charge access fees in
addition to the fees found in statutory guidelines.
Conclusion
Centralized electronic public information systems are a new way for
states to deliver service to the public and the business community through
cyberspace. With five states currently operating one-stop-shopping systems
and at least three states hoping to get their systems started soon, provision
of centralized electronic access to public records is a developing trend
in state information delivery.
Table 1: Comparison of Available Information
|
Information Network of Kansas,
www.ink.org |
GeorgiaNet, www.ganet.state.ga.us/* |
Access Indiana Information Network, www.ai.org,
or www.state.in.us |
Nebrask@ Online, www.nol.org |
New Mexico Technet, www.nm.org |
| Administrative Code |
Yes |
Planned |
Planned |
|
Yes |
| Attorney General Opinions |
Yes |
Planned |
Planned |
|
Yes |
| Bankruptcy Filings |
Yes |
|
|
|
Yes |
| Bid Information |
Yes, also purchasing requirements |
Planned, also purchasing requirements |
Yes |
|
Yes, including federal bids and contracts |
| Bill Full Text |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bill Monitoring |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
| Bill Status / History |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Campaign Finance Data |
Yes |
|
General campaign finance info available |
|
|
| Chamber of Commerce Information |
Yes, legislative testimony, legislative reports
and calendar available |
|
|
|
Yes, greater Albuquerque members available |
| Coporation Listings / Information |
Yes |
Yes, also initial corporate filings |
Planned |
Yes |
Yes |
| Court Dockets |
Yes |
Planned |
Planned |
Planned |
Yes, five juridictions available |
| Court Records |
Yes, four county courts available |
|
Planned |
Yes, limited |
Yes, five jurisdictions available |
| Driver's License Records |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, including organ donor status |
| GIS Data |
Yes |
|
Planned |
|
|
| Governor's Orders |
|
Planned |
|
|
|
| Internet Access |
Yes, including e-mail |
Yes, including e-mail |
Yes, including e-mail |
Yes, including e-mail |
Yes, including e-mail |
| Job Listings |
Yes |
Planned |
Yes |
|
Yes |
| Legislative Calendar |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Legislative Journals |
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
|
| Legislative Directory |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Legislative Catalogues |
Yes |
|
|
Yes |
Yes, including document delivery service |
| Motor Vehicle Registration Records |
Yes, including titles and liens |
|
Yes, including titles and liens |
Planned |
Yes, including on-line registration at the
dealer |
| Real Estate Records |
Yes |
Planned, including maps |
Yes, limited |
Planned, including title and lien searches |
Yes |
| State Statutes / Code |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| State University and College Information |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| UCC Searches |
Yes, also on-line filing capability |
|
Planned |
Yes |
|
| Other information Currently Available or
Planned |
Bd. of Tax Appeals docket, list of unclaimed
property, League of Municipalities and Assoc. of Counties info., Bd. of
Nursing database, certified day-care centers, occupational wage info, Bd.
of Healing Arts database |
Planned: Notices of agency public meetings;
Public Service Comm. rulings, directory of govt.
Available: kiosks providing travel info. |
List of abandoned property, licensed day
care and nursing homes, sex-offender registry, election info, welfare funding
and spending data, tourist info, state grant info, Dept. of Natural Resources
info
Planned: Electronic filing projects |
Effective Finance Statements; workers' comp.
info, state tax forms, list of sales tax permits issued, database of statutory
and tax liens, state govt. directory |
Foreign and border trade databases, electronic
state tax filing, business permitting and licensing, electronic oil and
gas tax filing, Albuq. water billing info, census data, links from hospitals
to organ donor program, tech. transfer data |
*This information is accurate as of October 1, 1996.
Table 2: Comparison of Enabling Legislation
|
Information Network of Kansas |
GeorgiaNet |
Access Indiana Information Network |
Virginia Information Providers Network |
Information Network of Arkansas |
| Cite of Enabling Act |
Kansas Statutes Annotated sec. 74-9301 to
74-9309 (1990). |
Georgia Code sec. 50-25-2 to 50-25-13 (1990). |
Indiana Code sec. 5-21-1-1 to 5-21-5-3 (1994).* |
Virginia Code Annotated sec. 9-350 to 9-361
(1996). |
Arkansas Code Annotated sec. 25-27-101 to
25-27-105 (Michie 1995). |
| Members on Governing Board; How Selected |
10: 1) pres. of Kansas Inc.; 2) sec. of state;
3) & 4) CEOs of exec. Branch agencies, app'ted by gov.; 5), 6) &
7) from user associations, app'ted by gov.; 8) librarian of member library,
app'ted by gov.; 9) member of bar assoc., app'ted by gov.; 10) dir. Of
Division of Info. Systems and Communications (nonvoting) |
5: 1) app'ted by lt. gov.; 2) app'ted by
speaker of H. of Rep.; 3), 4) & 5) persons knowledgeable about data
processing operations and needs of the political subdivisions of the state,
app'ted by gov. |
16: 1)-6) from user community, app'ted by
gov.; 7) gov.'s designee; 8) lt. gov. or designee; 9) state budget dir.
or designee; 10) exec. dir. (nonvoting); 11) comm. of Dept. of Admin. or
designee; 12) rep. from coordinating unit; 13) & 14) reps. (D and R)
app'ted by speaker (nonvoting); 15) & 16) sens (D and R) app'ted by
pres. pro tempore (nonvoting) |
11: 1) sec. of admin.; 2) dir. of the Council
on Info. Manag.; 3)-5) CEOs of exec. branch agencies, app'ted by gov.;
6) & 7) members of state bar, app'ted by gov.; 8)-10) from user associations,
app'ted by gov.; 11) app'ted by gov. from a list provided by the state
librarian |
12: 1) pres. of Science and Tech. Auth.,
or designee; 2) sec. of state or designee; 3) dir. of Dep't of Finance
or designee; 4) & 5) CEOs of exec. branch agencies or designees; 6)-9)
from user associations, app'ted by gov.; 10) public library dir., app'ted
by gov.; 11) member of bar assoc., app'ted by gov.; 12) dir. of Dept. of
Computer Services (nonvoting) |
| Quorum; Vote to Take Action |
5; 5 |
2; 2 |
7; 7 |
6; Not specified |
6; 6 |
| Administrative Head of Network; Other Employees;
State Employees? |
Network manager (either a person or corporation);
May hire other employees as designated by the board; Yes (for certain purposes) |
Executive director; May hire other employees
as prescribed by the board; Yes |
Executive director (appointed by Gov.); May
hire staff as needed; No |
Network manager; Not specified; Not specified |
Network manager (either a person or entity);
Dept. of Computer Services may provide staff under contract; Not specified |
| Network Authorized to Enter into Contracts
in General?; with State Agencies? |
Yes; Yes |
Yes; Yes |
Yes; Not specified |
Yes; Yes |
Yes; Yes |
| Network Authorized to Accept Gifts, Donations
or Grants? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Network Authorized to Set Fees for Access
to Information? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| State Agencies Required to Cooperate? |
Yes |
No |
Not Specified |
No |
Yes |
| Network Authorized to Invest Moneys Received? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Not Specified |
| Source of Funds for Network Start-up?; for
Operation? |
Private donations; Private donations, revenues
from subscribers |
"No state appropriated funds shall be used
for any purpose stated in this Code section." sec. 50-25-6. |
Private donations; Revenues are to be used
for operating expenses |
Private donations; Private donations, revenues
from subscribers |
Not specified; Not specified (but the board
may accept gifts, donations and grants) |
| State to Receive Funds in Excess of Operation
Costs? |
Yes |
Yes |
Not Specified |
Yes |
Yes |
| Exempt from State Purchasing Laws? |
Yes |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Yes |
Not specified |
| Tax Exempt? |
Not Specified |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Not Specified |
| Ownership of Network? |
Not Specified |
State-owned |
"Neither the state nor the commission may
own the Intelenet system." sec. 5-21-3-6. |
Not Specified |
Not Specified |
* This cite is a statute authorizing the Indiana Intelenet Commission.
This was existing legislation at the time the Access Indiana Information
Network was established. This legislation was recently amended by SB 364
(1996) to reduce the number of governor-appointed members to four. The
other two positions shall now be 1) the superintendent of public instruction
or designee and 2) the director of the state library or designee.
Appendix: Network Contacts
Terry Boulanger, Director of Marketing
New Mexico Technet
5921 Jefferson Ct. NE, Suite A
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-345-6555
505-345-6559 fax
boulan@technet.nm.org
Brad Bradley, General Manager
Access Indiana Information Network
ISTA Building, Suite 530
150 West Market St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2806
1-800-236-5446
317-233-2010
317-233-2011 fax
brad@ai.org
Sam Somerhalder, President
Nebrask@ Online
1221 N St., Suite 303
Lincoln, NE 68508
1-800-747-8177
402-471-7810
sam@nol.org
Betty Dillehay, State Data Administrator
Virginia Information Providers Network
1100 Banks St., Suite 901
Richmond, VA 23219
804-225-3622 |
Thomas M. Bostick, Executive Director
Harry Herington, Network Manager
GeorgiaNet
100 Peachtree St., Suite 1440
Atlanta, GA 30303-3404
404-651-8690
404-657-7956 fax
Jeff Fraser, Network Manager
Information Network of Kansas
106 Capitol Tower
400 Southwest 8th
Topeka, KS 66603
1-800-4KANSAS
913-296-5059
913-296-5563 fax
Michael Hipp, Director, Department of Computer Services
Information Network of Arkansas
One Capitol Mall
P.O. Box 3155
Little Rock, AR 72203-3155
501-826-5536 |
|