Joint IT committee elects chair, vice chair and ranking minority member; schedules meeting planning

The Joint Committee on Information Technology elected Representative Hoffman as committee chair, Senator Mike Peterson as vice chair and Representative Kirk Haskins as the committee's ranking minority member during a meeting where members also discussed scheduling and deadlines.

Committee members opened nominations for chair and Representative Turner nominated Representative Hoffman for the chair position. Senator Tyson seconded the nomination; members closed nominations and approved the selection by voice vote. Representative Penn nominated Senator Mike Peterson for vice chair, with Representative Curtis seconding; that nomination also passed by voice vote. Representative Curtis nominated Representative Kirk Haskins as the ranking minority member; Senator Ware seconded and the nomination was approved by voice vote. The meeting record does not include a roll-call tally, and outcomes were recorded as voice votes.

The committee discussed how many days to request for upcoming hearings. The committee chair recommended requesting six days for hearings; members observed the committee might be allotted four or five days depending on competing items. Senator Petersen asked members to submit ideas for the docket by about May 14 so staff could assemble a meeting promptly. Members discussed the possibility of meeting in April or scheduling during the veto period if time allows.

Staff advised members that notices of proposed IT demand originate from the EBIT service desk at ks.gov and said those notices will trigger meeting calls if two members request one. Committee staff identified James and Natalie (reviser) as points of contact for submitting agenda ideas.

The meeting concluded after the leadership votes and scheduling discussion.