Ad Hoc Legislative Committee on Agency Information Technology

Representative Rick Murphy

PRESENTATIONS

Chairman Stevens explained that the goal of the committee will be to better understand issues with incorrect state data and have agencies be more proficient with handling their data.

John Heely, Vice President, Digital Technology Group (DTG), gave a presentation on Sentry Gate technology (Attachment 1).

Representative Lesko asked if Mr. Heely was attempting to sell a product to the state and who his current clients are. Mr. Heely responded that DTG is a newer software company and Chairman Stevens asked him to present to the committee.

Representative Lesko asked if fingerprint technology is easily compromised. Mr. Heely responded that fingerprints are raised and very difficult to counterfeit, but eye scanning provides the very best for biometric security.

Representative Lesko asked what Sentry Gate could be used for. Mr. Heely responded that it can be used throughout state agencies to ensure that data will not be compromised.

Mr. Heely went on to give another presentation on Imatch (Attachment 2).

Representative Seel asked who is using Imatch technology now. Mr. Heely responded that currently no one is using the technology, but the Arizona Department of Public Safety is exploring its uses and Mr. Heely explained the benefits of its use in the corrections industry.

Kevin Biesty, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), testified that he sent an email to all members to address Committee Member requests and was available for questions.

Chairman Stevens asked if the spreadsheet includes court systems and highway patrol data file transfers. Mr. Biesty responded that the spreadsheet includes the Department of Administration and the Department of Revenue, and city police departments that have agreements with ADOT. The spreadsheet includes entity name, contact person, contact email, contact phone number, sent data transfers, received data transfers, purpose, frequency, classification, security scheme, and whether there is an agreement on file.

Chairman Stevens inquired whether ADOT transfers data to any third party entities. Mr. Biesty responded that the Drivers Privacy Protection Act dictates who ADOT can share data with, entities like insurance companies and manufacturer recalls on automobiles.

Chairman Stevens questioned if ADOT sells any data to insurance companies for commercial purposes. Mr. Biesty responded that he does not think so, and that any commercial data use will be limited.

Chairman Stevens wondered if the data transfers were batch transfers that occur at night. Mr. Biesty responded that the security scheme may indicate the type of transfer. Mr. Biesty went on to say that every night, insurance companies transfer data on canceled policies to ADOT, the computer automatically generate a letter to be sent to the driver, who then has 15 days to respond with proof of insurance. Data discrepancies happen if agents enter Vehicle Identification Numbers incorrectly.

Chairman Stevens asked if someone comes in for a new drivers license, is ADOT solely responsible for verifying that persons data. Mr. Biesty responded that certain forms of ID are acceptable, and the person must prove they are in the country legally and give their social security number.

Chairman Stevens wondered what process was used to validate a street address. Mr. Biesty responded that since the person needs to have documents with their address on them to prove legal presence, the information is easy to check.

Chairman Stevens inquired about how many records are in the ADOT database. Mr. Biesty responded just over 1.3 million people and four million licensed vehicles.

Chairman Stevens asked if the driver’s license number is in a different format than an ID card. Mr. Biesty responded that he will have to email the Committee with that information later.

Discussion ensued regarding processing of data, how the data is handled between agencies and states, how tourists and new residents are licensed, and how different fields are formatted.

Anthony Forschino, Department of Revenue (DOR), testified that he sent an email to all Members responding to their requests (Attachment 3) and was available for any questions.

Chairman Stevens asked if the main data stream from DOR is coming from the federal government. Mr. Forschino responded that there are match offs with the federal government to make sure gross income is correct.

Chairman Stevens inquired if DOR receives W-2 data. Mr. Forschino responded that W-2 files are received in a large batch so people do not have to file in two places.

Chairman Stevens questioned whether DOR checks any addresses with other state agencies. Mr. Forschino responded that if people want tax refunds, they need to give their correct address.

Discussion ensued regarding city collection of taxes, data processing, and personal verification standards.

Chairman Stevens wondered what the process for e-filing is. Mr. Forschino responded that the computers handle most of the verification, but that DOR does stop to match social security numbers and multiple returns to the same bank account.

Chairman Stevens asked if DOR checks driver license records to see if drivers are filing their tax returns. Mr. Forschino responded that DOR does not do that directly.

Discussion ensued regarding what causes filing flags, use of information sent to private companies, and how data is maintained.

Representative Seel asked if DOR would be comfortable supplying data to the Auditor General for analysis. Mr. Forschino responded that it should be fine.

Jennifer Carusetta, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), stated that she sent an email to all Members to address committee requests and was available for questions. Any further questions will be addressed within 30 days.

Chairman Stevens asked if AHCCCS has any issues dealing with data sub-compartments like the Department of Economic Security or Child Protective Services. Ms. Carusestta responded that AHCCCS has data sharing agreements with each department that is automated and done in large batches.

Discussion ensued regarding problems with multiple counts of the same data, security, how the information transfers between agencies that operate with AHCCCS, and how often prison records and death records are compared.

Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 4:04 p.m.

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Emilio Bascunan, Committee Secretary

April 22, 2010

(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Chief Clerk’s Office; video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov).

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AD HOC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON AGENCY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

April 7, 2010

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Representative David Stevens, Chairman	Representative Carl Seel, Vice-Chairman
Representative Lauren Hendrix	Representative Debbie Lesko
Representative Anna Tovar	Representative Rae Waters

Members Present

Members Absent