4190                                            EXECUTIVE ORDERS

01.01.1983.21

TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is an extensive user of telephone
equipment and service; and

WHEREAS, The existing telecommunications environment is
undergoing unprecedented change resulting from the
divestiture and deregulation of the Bell System and the
rapid development of new telecommunications technology; and

WHEREAS, By Executive Order 01.01.1982.03, an Inter-Departmental
Committee for Telecommunications Master Planning (CTMP) was
created; and

WHEREAS, The CTMP has made recommendations concerning actions to
be taken by the State to provide a satisfactory transition
into and through the new telecommunications environment,
including the development of a comprehensive State
Government Telecommunications Master Plan; and

WHEREAS, The CTMP recommends that responsibility be established
within the Executive Branch for resolving telephone
communication issues arising before the implementation of a
comprehensive Telecommunications Master Plan:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, HARRY HUGHES, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, HEREBY ISSUE
THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER:

The Department of General Services is assigned
responsibility to provide guidelines and direction in
the procurement, use and maintenance of telephones and
telephone systems until implementation of a
comprehensive Telecommunications Master Plan for State
government. The Department's responsibilities shall
include:

a.    Development of telephone systems
procurement procedures for all Departments, Boards,
Commissions or other Executive Branch agencies
consistent with Article 21 of the Code and regulations
adopted thereunder;

b.    Periodic estimation of State budgetary
impacts resulting from structural and technological
changes in the telephone communications field;

c. Identification of possible cost reduction
measures in telephone communications management; and