Branstad to order web standardization for state government

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that Gov. Branstad will be signing an executive order addressing the issue of web standardization in Iowa's state government interface.

The announcement was made at the administration's weekly press conference. Branstad did not attend because he is attending National Governors Association meetings in North Carolina.

“I am pleased today to announce this first step towards offering Iowans the improvements necessary to provide a more effective and efficient online interaction experience,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Iowans are best served when our state's web enterprise is managed as a whole allowing for a common look and feel. This process will allow us to better serve the people of Iowa as we continue to work towards a more open, honest government.”

The executive order establishes a Web Standardization Committee that will include 13 members from various state agencies. The following members will be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the governor:

• The Chief Information Officer, or interim Chief Information Officer for the State of Iowa

• A representative of the Office of the Governor

• An Executive Branch agency director

• An Executive Branch agency Chief Information Officer or equivalent

• The Director of the Department of Administrative Services

• Three Executive Branch agency Public Information Officers whose primary role is to provide services to people and businesses in Iowa

• Five Executive Branch webmasters or representatives with website expertise in developing and maintaining websites to include a representative from the state Department of Human Rights, one large agency, one medium agency, one small agency, and a representative of the state of Iowa's web portal manager

The committee will be charged with the following tasks:

• The design and standards to support website standardization for all Executive Branch Agencies;

• A recommendation for at least one and no more than two enterprise content management systems

• A recommendation relating to a common sliver header

• Recommendations for compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure full access for individuals with disabilities

• Additional recommendations in other areas as requested by the Office of the Governor.

The Web Standardization Committee shall dissolve on May 1, 2013 or upon the date of completion of the web standardization process.