Senate Passes Funke Legislation to Establish New York State I-Center

The New York State Senate today passed S.3095, a bill sponsored by Senator Rich Funke to establish an Information Technology Innovation Center, or iCenter, in New York State. The bill, designated by the New York State Business Council as 2015 Priority Legislation, would allow State agencies to test new and emerging technology products that could improve State operations to save costs and/or be marketed to private sector consumers.

“The iCenter is a win-win for taxpayers and businesses alike because it establishes a new public-private partnership to streamline State services and save costs while exposing emerging technology companies to new market opportunities,” said Funke. “Rochester’s growing tech industry will also have the chance to beta-test new products through the iCenter and receive vital feedback to improve marketability. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of the iCenter and I look forward to tracking its progress in the Assembly.”

The iCenter would be a one-stop-shop for the testing of new technologies across State operations to authenticate functionality, guarantee interoperability, and streamline State services to save costs. State agencies would have the capability to work in partnership with private sector associates through the iCenter to understand best practices and incorporate new perspectives in the calibration of State government’s information technology needs. Private sector employers would also have the opportunity to beta-test emerging technologies through the iCenter to receive feedback on the quality and functionality of their products, potentially improving marketability to consumers. Interested vendors would still participate in the competitive process that follows existing statewide technology procurement guidelines.

“This legislation, if enacted, will provide New York State with millions of savings in renegotiated IT contracts and storage costs. We know this because it is modeled after similar legislation in North Carolina that did just that,” said Heather C. Briccetti, President and CEO of The Business Council. “We applaud Senator Funke for getting his colleagues to unanimously approve the bill and look forward to having it pass the Assembly and signed by the Governor.”

The bill is also being carried in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D, Queens), where it was most recently referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations. A copy of the bill language is attached.

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