Data, strategic planning bills critical to transforming state government

News Release from Transform Hawaii Government, Feb. 15, 2019

THG is strongly supporting four priority bills this legislative session to usher forward progress in the areas of managing government data and long-term strategic planning:

• SB 1001, Relating to Government Data — Establishes a chief data officer and data task force, within the office of enterprise technology services, to develop, implement, and manage statewide data set policies, procedures, and standards.
• HB 532, Relating to Government Data — Establishes a Chief Data Officer and Data Task Force to develop, implement, and manage statewide data set policies, procedures, and standards. Appropriates moneys.
• SB 219, Relating to Enterprise Technology Services — Requires the chief information officer, in conjunction with the information technology steering committee, to review, refresh, and submit to the state information technology strategic plan every four years.
• HB 531, Relating to Enterprise Technology Services — Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services Chief Information Officer to update the state information technology strategic plan every four years, with the first update to be completed in advance of the 2021 regular session.

Access to empirical data is essential to providing information to decision-makers, both within and external of government, so they are able to make informed decisions. THG believes it is time to commit resources to develop a long-term vision to enable all branches and departments of our state government to work together, in a coordinated fashion, under one open data strategy.

Likewise, THG agrees that requiring the state’s IT Strategic Plan to be regularly refreshed will promote continuity of services, regardless of transitions from administration to administration.

To track these measures, visit THG's Legislation webpage.