The Hawaii Legislature has appropriated $1.2 million to pay for the creation of a state information technology office tasked with improving public online services, making government more efficient and saving money.

The bill funds a chief information officer and an information technology office sought by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Combined, they will form a new Office of Information Management and Technology tasked with upgrading the state government’s aging computer and technology systems.

Abercrombie has said he plans to hire a chief information officer by July, evaluate the state’s technology needs over the next two years and then implement the plan in 2013.

The measure passed the Legislature before this year’s session ended earlier this month.

Abercrombie hasn’t yet signed it into law.