IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

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IN THE MATTER OF:

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 1 ORDER

COMMISSION ON TECHNOLOGY )

AND RELATED COMMITTEES 1

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WHEREAS, there is a need to establish a clear vision and plan for automation and

:ech:lc!o~v in the MGzi3na COLY? S\st.em that prcmotes the rights of citizen participation in state Igovernment, examination of documents, and observance of deliberations of public bodies while

protecting the right of individual privacy; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to determine the availability, allocation, and use of funds for

automation projects consistent with the direction, standards and priorities of the plan; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to assess and plan for the establishment of a statewide integrated

judicial network; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to develop, update and submit for approval statewide technical

and security standards for use in court automation projects; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to oversee the selection, development, and support of state

sponsored court automation systems; and

WHEREAS, automation projects are encouraged which utilize technology to enhance court

access, efficiency, and management; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to review, oversee, and evaluate court technology projects;

IT IS ORDERED that there is created a standing Commission on Technology and related

committees.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the attached policies are adopted to govern the purpose,

membership, and structure of this Commission and related committees.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court give notice of this order by mail

to: the District Court Judges; the Clerk of the Supreme Court; the Clerks of the District Court; the

Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction and to the Chairperson of the Automation Committee

-I- ORDER
thereof; the State Law Librarian with a request that she post this oider on the State Law Library

Webpage; the Executive Director of the State Bar of Montana with a request that he post the ordrt

on the State Bar of Montana Webpage; and Brian Wolf, Chief Information Officer for the State of

Montana.

day of January, 2002.

-2- ORDER
POLICIES OF THE COMMISSION ON TECHNOLOGY

A. GENERAL PC’RPOSE

The Commission on Technology is established as a standing commission of the

Montana Supreme Court. The Commission on Technology shall:

1. Establish goals. polici,es znd priorities for the statewide Judicial Branch

information Technology Plan.

2 . Develop a vision and direction for use of information technology in the

courts in the new millennium.

3. Determine the allocation of available funds for automation requests and

projects consistent with the direction, standards, and priorities of the

Information Technology Plan. The Court Administrator shall determine

the amount of these funds, which are available for this purpose.

4. Assess and plan for the establishment of a statewide judicial branch

communications network, including establishing security standards and

procedures.

5. Develop and submit for approval statewide technical standards, which

shall be used in all court automation projects, including security, disaster

recovery, and communication.

6. Oversee the selection, development, and support of state sponsored

automation systems provided by the Court Administrator’s Office.

7. Encourage projects that utilize technology to increase accessibility to

courts, improve court efficiency, and enhance court management.

8 . Review and approve or disapprove court technology projects and establish

policies and procedures for the submission of project plans.

9 . Monitor the progress of all court automation projects.

10. Oversee, authorize, and support the statewide judiciary IT biennial

proposal submitted to the legislature.
B. MEMBERSHIP

The Commission shall be composed of eleven (11) members to be appointed by

the Montana Supreme Court. Members shall include: a Supreme Court Justice;

the Supreme Court Administrator or designee; a District Court Judge; the Clerk of

the Supreme Court or designee; a Clerk of District Court; the chairperson of the

Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Automation Committee; a Judge of

a Court of Limited Jurisdiction; the State Law Librarian or designee; a member of

the Legislature; the Executive Director of the State Bar of Montana or designee;

and a member of the public.

C. TERMS OF MEMBERS

Commission members shall be appointed to staggered three-year terms and may

be reappointed for successive terms.

D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

Commission members shall actively participate in meetings and advisory

committees as assigned.

E. ORGANIZATION

The Supreme Court shall appoint a chairperson to organize Commission affairs.

Advisory Committees to help the Commission carry out its responsibilities shall

be appointed by the chairperson. The advisory committees shall include:

1 . Court Automation Advisory Committee (WAC)

a. Put-nose

The Court Automation Advisory Committee will coordinate and oversee

planning, implementation and enhancements of automation and

technology in the courts. The Committee will make recommendations to

the Commission on Technology on policy and direction related to

statewide court automation and selection of appropriate statewide court

automation solutions and allocation of available resources.

b. Membership

The Court Automation Advisory Committee will include representatives

of the courts and other organizations as the Commission on Technology

chairperson may appoint.
c. Organization

The Commission on ‘Technology chairperson shall appoint the CAAC

chairperson from among the Committee membership. The CAAC

chairperson shall serve a three-year term and may be reappointed for

successive terms.

2. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

a . Purpose

The Technical Advisory Committee will respond to Commission on

Technology requests to recommend specific standards, hardware, and

technologies to carry out statewide automation policies and priorities. The

TAC will also review technical aspects of automation plans and requests

and make recommendations on technical standards and approaches.

b. Membership

The Supreme Court Information Technology Director will chair the

Technical Advisory Committee. The TAC chairperson shall serve an

indefinite term. The Commission on Technology chairperson will appoint

representatives to the committee from the information technology field

and other organizations supporting court-related automation,

F. MEETINGS

The Commission on Technology shall meet no less than twice a year. The

Commission chairperson may call additional meetings as needed. All meetings

shall be noticed and open to the public. The Supreme Court may reimburse travel

expenses of Commission and Committee members to the extent that funding is

available.

G. ACTIONS

The Commission on Technology shall adopt rules for conducting business. These

rules shall prescribe the quorum and majority needed to constitute Commission

actions.

H. STAFF

The Court Administrator’s Office shall provide staff support for the Commission.

The staff may conduct or coordinate research as recommended by the

Commission.