2005 California Government Code Sections 15275-15279 CHAPTER 2. DUTIES AND POWERS

15275.  The Department of General Services may:
   (a) Provide adequate representation of local and state
governmental bodies and agencies before the Federal Communications
Commission in matters affecting the state and its cities, counties,
and other public agencies.
   (b) Provide, upon request, adequate advice to state and local
agencies in the state concerning existing or proposed communications
facilities between any and all of the following:  cities, counties,
other political subdivisions of the state, state departments,
agencies, boards, and commissions, and departments, agencies, boards,
and commissions of other states and federal agencies.
   (c) Recommend to the appropriate state and local agencies such
rules, regulations, procedures, and methods of operation as it deems
necessary to effectuate the most efficient and economical use of
publicly owned and operated communications facilities within this
state.
   (d) Provide, upon request, information and data concerning the
communications facilities which are owned and operated by public
agencies in connection with official business of public safety
services.
   (e) Carry out the policy of this part.
15276.  (a) The department shall coordinate experimental studies on
the use of telecommunications and information systems for
telecommuting and teleworking.
   (b) The department, in conducting these studies shall consider,
among other issues, all of the following issues of concern:
   (1) The impact of telecommuting and teleworking on the effective
delivery of existing state services.
   (2) New state services which telecommuting and teleworking may
make possible.
   (3) The consequences of telecommuting and teleworking for managers
and employees of state agencies, including the quality of worklife
within state agencies.
   (4) The opportunities created by telecommuting and teleworking for
the employment of, and the enhancement of working life for, persons
with disabilities.
   (5) The enhancements to telecommunications and information systems
now or soon to be available which may facilitate the conduct of
telecommuting and teleworking.
15277.  There is hereby established within the department a Division
of Telecommunications.  The division shall include a policy and
planning unit whose duties shall include, but not be limited to, all
of the following:
   (a) Assessing the overall long-range telecommunications needs and
requirements of the state considering both routine and emergency
operations, performance, cost, state-of-the-art technology, multiuser
availability, security, reliability, and such other factors deemed
to be important to state needs and requirements.
   (b) Developing strategic and tactical policies and plans for
telecommunications with consideration for the systems and
requirements of state agencies, counties, and other local
jurisdictions; and preparing an annual strategic telecommunications
plan which includes the feasibility of interfaces with federal and
other state telecommunications networks and services.
   (c) Recommending industry standards for telecommunications systems
to assure multiuser availability and compatibility.
   (d) Providing advice and assistance in the selection of
telecommunications equipment to ensure that the telecommunications
needs of state agencies are met and that procurements are compatible
throughout state agencies and are consistent with the state's
strategic and tactical plans for telecommunications.
   (e) Providing management oversight of statewide telecommunications
systems developments.
   (f) Providing for coordination of, and comment on, plans and
policies and operational requirements from departments which utilize
telecommunications in support of their principal function, such as
the Office of Emergency Services, National Guard, health and safety
agencies, and others with primary telecommunications programs.
   (g) Monitoring and participating on behalf of the state in the
proceedings of federal and state regulatory agencies and in
congressional and state legislative deliberations which have an
impact on state government telecommunications activities.
   (h) Developing plans and policy regarding teleconferencing as an
alternative to state travel and regarding emergency communications.
15279.  The Division of Telecommunications shall, in its next annual
report to the Legislature, develop and describe state policy on the
use of voice telecommunications services for the delivery of
information and services by state agencies.
   That policy shall develop guidelines that:
   (a) Describe what types of state information and services may be
accessed using voice telecommunications services.
   (b) Characterize the conditions under which a state agency may
utilize voice telecommunications services to deliver state
information and services.
   (c) Characterize the conditions under which a state agency may
charge for that information and services.
   (d) Specify pricing policies.
   (e) Provide other guidance as appropriate.
   In the development of the state policy, the department shall
assure that access to state information and services is improved, and
that the policy is cost-effective for the state and its citizens.