Assembly Bill 278 proposes the creation of a new statute, 165.981, which mandates the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to law enforcement agencies specifically for the acquisition of data-sharing platforms. The bill outlines specific criteria that these platforms must meet, including the ability to integrate data from common law enforcement systems in real-time, eliminate redundant records, and allow for controlled data sharing among agencies. Additionally, the platforms must be accessible on devices commonly used by law enforcement and ensure that agencies retain rights to their data.

To support the implementation of this grant program, the bill allows the Joint Committee on Finance to provide up to $2,000,000 in each fiscal year of the 2025-27 biennium upon request from the DOJ. This funding is intended to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in managing and sharing data effectively, thereby improving overall public safety and operational efficiency.