SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 60
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri recognizes the critical importance of information technology to its government, industry and local economy; and
WHEREAS, high technology has made enormous contributions to Missouri's economic growth and competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, the high technology industry is one of the most vibrant sectors of Missouri's economy, with over 3,670 high technology companies employing 21,300 Missouri residents and generating over $1 billion in annual wages; and
WHEREAS, high technology jobs are high-paying, high-skill, dynamic, and adaptable, with the average Missouri high technology worker earning $50,000 a year; and
WHEREAS, the positive economic impact of high technology in Missouri does not end with workers in well-paid high technology jobs, but extends to the businesses that provide goods and services to high technology companies, resulting in an overall impact of 66,100 jobs and more than $2.4 billion in wages for Missouri residents; and
WHEREAS, software piracy represents one of the greatest threats to the continued growth of Missouri's high technology industry, with software piracy costing the Missouri economy nearly 1,900 jobs and $80 million in wages annually; and
WHEREAS, software piracy robs $15.1 million annually from the State of Missouri in lost tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, software piracy can have a serious chilling effect on creativity, innovation, and profitability in the vital high technology sector of Missouri's economy; and
WHEREAS, counterfeit and other forms of pirated software expose consumers, including state agencies, to the risk of computer viruses, reduced technical support, and other problems that prevent the efficient operation of information systems; and
WHEREAS, due to the destructive impact of software piracy on the Missouri economy and consumers, the Missouri General Assembly recognizes the need to develop a comprehensive statewide response to combat the use of unlicensed software in all state agencies and promote sound management of state information systems:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Senate of the Ninety-first General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby urge the Governor to issue an executive order that:
(1) Directs each state agency to work diligently to prevent and combat computer software piracy;
(2) Gives full force and effect to copyrights associated with computer software;
(3) Observes all relevant provisions of federal law, including the federal copyright acts and all applicable licensing restrictions; and
(4) Promotes the proper acquisition, management, and use of software by state agencies, contractors, and recipients of state funds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the Governor of Missouri.