Digital Services

Gov. Kay Ivey released the group’s final report on GenAI use in state agencies. It recommends a standardized framework, stronger oversight and training to guide the responsible use of the technology.

The 32-year-old MTA MetroCard will cease operations Dec. 31, but other fare cards are coming. NJ Transit will debut one in just a few months, and PATH is in the works on a card for its new TAPP system.

The Solano County census-designated place will get fiber-based broadband Internet, officials said last week. Internet service provider Comcast will lay cables, filling service gaps revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data plays an essential role in governance, and a new report from the Open Technology Institute illuminates an urgent need for public-sector adoption of technologies that help enable secure use of data.

Gov. Jeff Landry has declared an emergency via executive order as the state grapples with service disruptions at Office of Motor Vehicles sites. Some late fees are being waived for expired Class E drivers’ licenses.

The private equity firm, run by a former Florida politician and his brothers, had previously raised $355 million. The fresh capital underscores the sector’s increasing role in gov tech.

Amy Tong, the former California Government Operations Agency secretary and state CIO, will, at the request of Gov. Gavin Newsom, now focus on “government efficiency, tech and innovation,” she said recently.

Los Angeles and Orlando international airports have introduced parking technology to make travelers’ experiences more seamless and convenient. Cities are following suit, for ease of use and to reach more users.

Plus, Baltimore has a new broadband report, Seattle awards funds for digital equity, the FCC has announced staffing changes, a survey found trust in digital government services is under 50 percent, and more.

The project is nearing completion, with training on the new court management system slated to begin this spring. Paid for entirely by federal funds, it will eventually allow for electronic filing of court documents.

Transportation departments in Texas and California are exploring artificial intelligence, and the latter may create a chief data and AI officer role. These agencies, an executive said, will face “major workforce transformations.”

The Mineral County Treasurer’s Office and the state are readying a new vehicle services system, to refresh vehicle titling and registration. Services will be fully restored Monday morning, per the state website.

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted March 6 to spend nearly $2.6 million to retain the services of several cybersecurity firms. The move comes as the Fort Bend Public Library recently confronted online outages.

Plus, Vermont has started work on its Digital Empowerment Plan; a new bill aims to prevent FCC from censoring broadcasters; Sonoma County, Calif., has approved offering some residents free Internet; and more.

Launched this week by the state Department of Development, the program aims to provide assistance to smaller firms in strengthening cybersecurity and negotiating changes to the federal contracting landscape.

Commissioners have approved a new system that will ensure staff at the county jail check inmates the preferred four times per day. Actions such as administering medication and other daily needs will each require a scan.

Members of the House of Representatives IT Budget and Policy Subcommittee questioned artificial intelligence’s impact on the state workforce and its open records policy, expressing concern it could replace staffers.

The San Fernando Valley city's new chief information officer was most recently IT director for the Southern California municipality. He has public- and private-sector experience in IT, management and technical roles.