FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to  allow the Board of Regents to independently acquire products and services relative to information technology.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
     Section  1.  That § 1-33-44 be amended to read as follows:
     1-33-44.   The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications shall develop, install, and direct office systems technology, software, and services; telecommunication equipment, software, and services; and data processing equipment, software, and services to serve statewide needs. The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications may approve, disapprove, or modify requests of departments, agencies, commissions, institutions, or any other units of state government which involve the acquisition by lease or purchase of any office systems technology, software, and services; telecommunication equipment, software, and services; and data processing equipment, software, and services.

     The bureau shall take into consideration the unique needs of the separate legislative and judicial branches of government, the constitutional offices, the Board of Regents, and the Public Utilities Commission when evaluating requests for software acquisition. Nothing in this section

may be construed to prevent the legislative and judicial branches of government, the constitutional offices, the Board of Regents, and the Public Utilities Commission from carrying out their separate functions or responsibilities.