California Assembly Bill AB802

California 2019-2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/19
• Refer: 3/28/19
• Report Pass: 4/10/19
• Refer: 4/11/19
• Report Pass: 4/24/19
• Refer: 4/24/19
• Report Pass: 5/1/19
• Engrossed: 5/9/19
• Refer: 5/9/19
• Refer: 5/22/19
• Report Pass: 6/4/19
• Refer: 6/4/19
• Refer: 6/12/19
• Report Pass: 7/9/19
• Refer: 7/9/19
• Refer: 8/12/19

Caption

Reports to the Legislature: Statewide Open Data Portal.

Impact

The enactment of AB 802 will amend existing laws to facilitate a more efficient and streamlined reporting process for government agencies. By mandating electronic submissions, the bill seeks to reduce paper usage and improve access to governmental data. The establishment of a statewide open data portal is expected to centralize various datasets in an accessible format, encouraging public engagement and usage of state information for accountability purposes. Additionally, local agencies will have the opportunity to post their datasets on this portal, fostering a collaborative approach to data sharing.

Summary

Assembly Bill 802, introduced by Assembly Member Mark Stone, aims to enhance the accessibility and transparency of state data by requiring state and local agencies to submit reports electronically to legislative bodies rather than in printed format. The bill mandates that reports involving data collection or analysis include datasets that must be posted on a centralized statewide open data portal. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize how government data is accessed and utilized by the public, thereby promoting increased transparency in government operations.

Sentiment

The sentiment around AB 802 tends to be positive among proponents who advocate for government transparency and public access to information. Supporters view the bill as a significant step forward in ensuring that citizens can easily access and analyze state data. However, there may be concerns regarding the resources required for local agencies to comply with the new reporting requirements, leading to debates about funding and support for these initiatives. Opponents may argue that the bill imposes additional burdens without adequate resources for local governments.

Contention

While AB 802 is largely supported, some contention exists around the potential financial implications for local agencies required to implement the new electronic reporting measures. The bill stipulates that if these measures impose costs on local agencies, the state will reimburse them as required by the California Constitution. This reimbursement process and its implications remains an area of discussion, as local agencies seek clarity on funding and support in relation to the mandates introduced by the bill.