SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Cloud-based computing technologies, including data storage, are an efficient and cost-effective basis for providing information technology to local agencies.
(b) The Department of Technology has established statewide contract vehicles for cloud computing and storage. These contract vehicles may be utilized by local government agencies, and the Department of Technology has a fee-for-service component in these contract vehicles so that the increased use of these contract vehicles by local government agencies will support the creation and maintenance of the Office of Local Cloud Migration and Digital Innovation.
(c) The agility and elasticity of the cloud can decrease local government agencies’ information technology costs surrounding disaster recovery. Local agency information can be securely stored and protected in the cloud without the threat of a single local government facility being damaged or destroyed during a natural disaster. In addition, local agencies can build cloud-based applications allowing them to better serve their communities during a disaster, including dissemination of real-time traffic and safety information.
(d) The United States Digital Service’s mission to pair private sector technologists with public servants in order to improve the federal government’s most important and digital services is a model worthy of emulation by the State of California. It the intent of the Legislature that leveraging this private sector expertise is vital to ensure that local agencies find innovative ways to provide essential services and improve the quality of life for all residents of California. It is the intent of the Legislature to assist local agencies in their efforts to improve governmental transparency, efficiency, disaster preparedness and response, as well as general accessibility through readily available and cost-efficient technologies.