Executive Order

8-01 EXECUTIVE ORDER CONTINUING THE SUMMITNET EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

May 14, 2001

WHEREAS, coordinated management of the state's telecommunications infrastructure is an important aspect of providing cost effective, essential services to the citizens of Montana; and

WHEREAS, 2-15-122, MCA, provides for the establishment of an Advisory Council ; and

WHEREAS, the members should be selected from a diverse group in order to adequately represent the interests of state agencies, including the university system; and

WHEREAS, the members represent the collective telecommunications interests of the State of Montana; and WHEREAS, the Information Services Division (ISD) should continue with the current practice of providing shared and standardized network facilities, with ISD regularly assessing the overall cost effectiveness of providing a shared network for the enterprise; and

Whereas, ISD should coordinate interagency networks(voice, data, and video) with active input from agencies, and ITAC when appropriate, on product needs and choices; and

WHEREAS, SummitNet provides access to telecommunications facilities for the interconnection of the State's schools, libraries, universities, tribal colleges and government agencies (state and local); and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JUDY MARTZ, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the laws and Constitution of the State of Montana, do hereby continue the SummitNet Executive Council.

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of the SummitNet Executive Council is to provide policy level direction for matters related to SummitNet, including the following:

A. The Council shall provide a governance structure of shared authority within the existing statutory framework regarding management of telecommunication networks.

B. The Council shall exercise broad authority for strategic decision-making with regard to SummitNet. This authority shall include: 1) Policy development, 2) Participation (identification of entities allowed to use SummitNet), 3) Financial planning, 4) Strategic planning, (5) Cost recovery planning and policies, 6) Appropriate use policies, 7) Development and evaluation of new networking technologies, and 8) other policy issues related to SummitNet as determined by the Council.

II. COMPOSITION

The Council shall consist of seven members as identified below. The representatives will serve two-year terms, unless otherwise specified by the appointing authority. The membership shall consist of the following:

* The Director of the Department of Administration (or designee) who shall chair the Council; and
* The Commissioner of Higher Education (or designee); and
* The Superintendent of Public Instruction (or designee); and
* A representative from local government who shall be appointed by the Governor; and
* Three members who represent state agencies and who shall be appointed by the governor.

The members who shall serve shall be submitted by separate appointment letters to the Secretary of State.

III. DURATION

This Council shall exist until June 30, 2003 and shall be effective on the date of this Order unless otherwise ordered by subsequent Executive order.

This Order is effective immediately.

	GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana, this ___ day of __________, 2001. JUDY MARTZ, Governor
ATTEST: BOB BROWN, Secretary of State