Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2336
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Budget process
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-30
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill revises several policies and procedures related to the management of information technology projects and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Among other requirements, the bill requires the VA to do the following:
 
 
update the review process for information technology projects to ensure active risks are factored into the Information Technology Dashboard Chief Information Officer ratings;
 
submit a plan for expenditures relating to large information technology projects and investments;
 
include a specific accounting of funds requested for VA information technology programs in budget justification materials;
 
comply with applicable requirements of the Data Center Optimization Initiative of the Office of Management and Budget;
 
submit a comprehensive, prioritized list of information technology projects being funded by the VA;
 
assess information technology investments to determine the suitability of the investments for migration to a cloud computing service; 
 
create a mechanism to track savings and cost avoidances from migration to cloud computing services and deployment of such services;
 
ensure that information technology management policies address the role of the Chief Information Officer with respect to key responsibilities;
 
develop a continuous monitoring strategy to address organization metrics, frequency of monitoring metrics, ongoing status monitoring of metrics, and reporting of security status; and
 
revise Office of Information and Technology processes relating to risk management.
 
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to review the VA's updated processes related to the review of information technology projects and risk management. 

action_date: 2020-02-13
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill revises several policies and procedures related to the management of information technology projects and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 
 
Among other requirements, the bill requires the VA to 
 
 
update the review process for information technology projects to ensure active risks are factored into the Information Technology Dashboard Chief Information Officer ratings;
 
submit a plan for expenditures relating to large information technology projects and investments;
 
include a specific accounting of funds requested for VA information technology programs in budget justification materials;
 
comply with applicable requirements of the Data Center Optimization Initiative of the Office of Management and Budget;
 
submit a comprehensive, prioritized list of information technology projects being funded by the VA;
 
assess information technology investments to determine the suitability of the investments for migration to a cloud computing service; 
 
create a mechanism to track savings and cost avoidances from migration to cloud computing services and deployment of such services;
 
ensure that information technology management policies address the role of the Chief Information Officer with respect to key responsibilities;
 
develop a continuous monitoring strategy to address organization metrics, frequency of monitoring metrics, ongoing status monitoring of metrics, and reporting of security status; and
 
revise Office of Information and Technology processes relating to risk management.
 
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to review the VA's updated processes related to the review of information technology projects and risk management. 

action_date: 2020-07-30
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill revises several policies and procedures related to the management of information technology projects and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 
 
Among other requirements, the bill requires the VA to 
 
 
update the review process for information technology projects to ensure active risks are factored into the Information Technology Dashboard Chief Information Officer ratings;
 
submit a plan for expenditures relating to large information technology projects and investments;
 
include a specific accounting of funds requested for VA information technology programs in budget justification materials;
 
comply with applicable requirements of the Data Center Optimization Initiative of the Office of Management and Budget;
 
submit a comprehensive, prioritized list of information technology projects being funded by the VA;
 
assess information technology investments to determine the suitability of the investments for migration to a cloud computing service; 
 
create a mechanism to track savings and cost avoidances from migration to cloud computing services and deployment of such services;
 
ensure that information technology management policies address the role of the Chief Information Officer with respect to key responsibilities;
 
develop a continuous monitoring strategy to address organization metrics, frequency of monitoring metrics, ongoing status monitoring of metrics, and reporting of security status; and
 
revise Office of Information and Technology processes relating to risk management.
 
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to review the VA's updated processes related to the review of information technology projects and risk management. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4648-4650; text: CR S4648-4650)
action_date: 2020-07-30
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4648-4650; text: CR S4648-4650)
action_date: 2020-02-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 423.
action_date: 2020-02-13
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-02-13
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-01-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate