Bill Text: MS SB2625 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Chief Information Officer; create an executive-appointed position.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Failed) 2026-03-03 - Died In Committee [SB2625 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SB2625-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Government Structure
By: Senator(s) DeLano
Senate Bill 2625
(As Passed the Senate)
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE, A CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER WHO SHALL SERVE IN A CABINET POSITION; TO PRESCRIBE THE GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER; TO AUTHORIZE THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE DUTIES PRESCRIBED UNDER THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Chief Information Officer (CIO), whom the Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate and in accordance with standards established by the State Personnel Board. The CIO shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Governor in his or her cabinet. The salary of the Chief Information Officer shall be set by the Governor, subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board, and shall be provided for out of any funds made available for such purpose by the Legislature, the federal government or other gifts or grants. The CIO shall be responsible to the Governor for duties, which include serving as the chief policy advisor to the Governor on statewide information technology and cyber security issues, and assisting the Executive Director of the Department of Information Technology Services with his or her assigned duties and advising on the enforcement responsibilities provided in Section 25-53-21.
(2) In carrying out his or her duties under this act, the Chief Information Officer, shall:
(a) Be responsible for assisting in the protection of the state's information assets and citizens' data;
(b) Advise the Department of Information Technology Services on matters of information security and cyber security strategies and the implementation of statewide modernization of digital services;
(c) Promote the implementation of innovative solutions, like AI, while ensuring data security and efficient information technology operations;
(d) report annually to the Governor, and the report shall:
(i) Summarize the state's current and projected use of information technology and cyber security;
(ii) Outline the executive branch's strategic plan to modernize information technology and cyber security utilization statewide;
(iii) Provide a brief description of each state agency's information technology plan and cyber security plan; and
(vi) Include the expenditure of the funds provided for electronic technology, cyber security programs, equipment and hardware; and
(e) Take such other action as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this act.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2026.
