1) Yes, appointed, by the Governor, and approved by the NH Executive Council (essentially 5 lieutenant governors - unique system we have to check and balance the Governor).
2) total NH budget for 2012: $5,244,850,965 ($5.24 billion)
IT share of that: $67.5 million (roughly)
http://www.nh.gov/transparentnh/where-the-money-goes/index.htm
http://www.nh.gov/doit/internet/
3) Yes, and they don't have to submit open source as a solution, for example, but the requirements of open data still apply, for one thing, and for another, the total cost analysis will still have to happen... so an proposal submitted that didn't use open data, and used a proprietary solution would have to show that it was the only answer, and why it was cost effective, and couldn't meet the open data requirements. Remember that the principles are listed, and more specific guidelines for RFP and the like will be generated, by the CIO.
4) I tried (as a non-legislator) to get even a study of open source through in previous years. Killed it each time. This time, I was ready, I knew the opposition's issues, and had answers... plus Open Source is no longer a geek thing. People know Linux, Android, Google, etc. Opposition hinged on FUD mostly... It wasn't anything beyond that... So being able to address the usual FUD, and do education the entire time for non-geeks was the biggest factors needed.
comments: The Open Data elements are the key piece here. 3rd party vendors who fail to meet those are unlikely to get the business anyway. And no, this isn't perfect, nor will it guarantee open source is always the answer. Because it isn't. But it should put it on a level field for the first time.
And my website is SO outdated... I need to update hundreds of votes since. But thanks.