The U.S. House has unanimously passed a bipartisan bill co-authored by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) and 28 other colleagues that seeks to reform how the federal government manages software licenses.Cartwright’s office said Wednesday the Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies Act of 2016 received a 366-0 vote and will work to codify and support the current administration’s $4 billion effort to manage IT software licenses.
“Of the twenty-four major federal agencies, only two have implemented policies of comprehensive and clear management of software licenses,” said Cartwright.
“The MEGABYTE Act is the first in a series of steps we can take to minimize wasteful software spending, and to promote efficient procurement of technology.â€
The bill would have the Office of Management and Budget issue a directive to require chief information officers at each executive agency to develop a comprehensive software licensing policy that will track and maintain such licenses, analyze software usage and provide management training.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) has introduced similar legislation in the Senate
The Government Accountability Office has listed IT software license management as a main priority in its annual duplication report, Cartwright’s office said.
