Ever try to get public records from a state government Web site? There’s no consistency about what is available or how it is presented, from one state agency to another or between the different branches of state government.
That could change, if HF 2557 from Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, becomes law.
Kahn, who heads the House State Government Finance Division, proposes creating a state Webmaster position, which would be responsible for coordination and development of all state Web sites.
Along with the new position would come the requirement for developing and maintaining standards of transparency, disclosure and access to public data online with which all state agencies would have to comply.
The bill was up for a hearing in Kahn’s committee Wednesday and has already received approval in the House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee.
A Senate companion bill, SF 2188, from Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, has already passed a couple committee hurdles and looks to be headed for a Senate floor vote.
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