Provides relative to purchase of telecommunication and video equipment or services by state agencies. (8/1/21) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)
Impact
The bill significantly alters procurement policies for public and state-funded educational institutions, prohibiting the acquisition of telecommunications or video surveillance technology from manufacturers found to violate federal standards. This shift in law emphasizes national security considerations and aims to enhance the security of state technology infrastructure by eliminating potential vulnerabilities introduced by foreign-owned technology. It reinforces the expectation that state entities ensure that their equipment sourcing aligns with federal safety standards.
Summary
Senate Bill No. 15, introduced by Senator Milligan, amends regulations regarding the procurement of telecommunications and video surveillance equipment by state agencies and educational entities in Louisiana. The bill specifically requires compliance with federal guidelines outlined in Section 889(a) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This legislation seeks to prevent the purchase of certain equipment produced by specified companies, including Huawei and ZTE, which are deemed as security risks due to their ties with the Chinese government.
Sentiment
General sentiment surrounding SB 15 appears to be supportive among legislators concerned with state security, particularly in the context of protecting sensitive data and technological integrity from foreign threats. With a unanimous vote (34 in favor, 0 against) during the Senate vote, it reflects a bipartisan agreement on the importance of safeguarding the state's technological assets. However, there might be concerns regarding the implications for local flexibility and the choices available to educational institutions when sourcing necessary equipment.
Contention
One notable contention arises around the aggressive nature of federal compliance requirements. Critics may argue that the bill imposes restrictions that could limit technological advancement and flexibility for educational entities that may wish to utilize competitively priced technology from non-compliant manufacturers. There may also be discussions around the impact of such restrictions on local procurement practices and potential innovation within the telecommunications sector.
Authorizes the audit of certain vendor documentation in procurement of surveillance equipment by the office of legislature auditor. (8/1/22) (EN SEE FISC NOTE OF EX See Note)
Provides relative to the procurement of internet services and wide area networks services and systems by state agencies (RE SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)