The bill, Substitute Senate Bill No. 384, aims to redefine the term "executive branch agency" for the purposes of data governance, broadening its scope and clarifying exclusions. The new definition includes all state agencies, except for the Board of Regents for Higher Education and constituent units of the state higher education system, while also encompassing various departments, boards, councils, and commissions funded by the General Fund or special funds. The bill mandates that newly covered agencies designate an employee as their agency data officer, consult with the Chief Data Officer (CDO) on the state data plan, conduct an annual inventory of high-value data, and develop an open data access plan.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of provisions requiring agencies to consult with the CDO and the deletion of the previous exclusion of the Board of Regents for Higher Education. The bill also emphasizes the importance of high-value data, which is defined as data critical to agency operations, enhancing accountability, improving public knowledge, and meeting legislative reporting requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is expected to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 4-67o
GAE Joint Favorable: 4-67o
File No. 131: 4-67o