Several bills are pending that would either cap noneconomic damages or grant immunity to state entities, and passage of one or several of the bills is expected by year-end. Pennsylvania also has liability bills pending and is expected to act by year-end. Most state legislatures have appropriated funds for their Y2K efforts, but the issues surrounding the new millennium computer crisis will still dominate legislatures in 1999. Expect to see more states grappling with meeting the cost expectations as they go beyond their initial assessments and into the conversion and testing phases. Those states that previously considered liability issues will likely revisit them in 1999 and more states will attempt to jump on the immunity bandwagon next year, that is, if their vote tallying equipment is still working by the end of next year.
Most states are confident they can rework their most critical computer systems.
Costs also may not include expenses for routine systems upgrades that fix Year 2000 problems. State chief information officers have been continuously polled on their Y2K implementation and planning efforts. Four states reported being in both the planning and implementation phase. Cherie L. McNett has served as ASA State Relations Manager for five years. E-mail the author.