Policy

A Colorado school district has come out against legislation that would require the Colorado Department of Education to develop a new reporting database to receive complaints about contracts with digital vendors.

A bill proposed by state Sen. Saud Anwar seeks to amend state code to bar health insurance carriers from using AI to determine patient care. The aim is “to safeguard patient access to testing, medications and procedures.”

Introduced last week, Senate Bill 303 would amend the Pennsylvania Game Code to legalize the use of “small unmanned aircraft” weighing less than 55 pounds in the recovery of game.

San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood has introduced legislation that would smooth department solicitation for contracts around data and information subscription software. Those existing, he said, have a big impact.

The state’s CIO Corey Mock comes to the role direct from the Legislature. He brings technology policy and budget knowledge with him to government IT, and the ability to speak the language of lawmakers.

The demands of parcels coming and going, and other stressors at the curb, are prompting cities to design new approaches to managing these spaces. Often, they are turning to data and technology for support.

A House bill would create a database to track information on the progress of certain individuals with felony convictions. Its aim would be to help those eligible determine whether their voting rights could be restored.

A pair of bills expected to be introduced to the Ohio House and Senate next week propose to make computer science a graduation requirement for all high schoolers by 2027-28.

A new report by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and U.S. Digital Response outlines how public-sector agencies can improve their requests for proposals — and get more suitable responses.

Plus, E-rate program funding is at risk, broadband legislation has been introduced, Massachusetts debuts connectivity initiative, materials from the Office of Educational Technology are once again available, and more.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would compel social media companies to change how their platforms are designed, to keep children from harm. It would require features to mitigate compulsive use, deceptive marketing and other practices.

State officials have made several changes to the IT procurement process in an effort to expand public-private partnership opportunities, increase efficiency for businesses, and save taxpayers money.

A new definition for the vehicles approved Tuesday by the City Council categorizes a class of the devices as nonmotorized but providing power by being pedaled. This will allow them onto some city properties, including parks.

Children would need permission from a parent or guardian to possess an online social media account under a bill that received bipartisan support Tuesday from an Iowa House committee.

Lawmakers in Arkansas and Missouri are considering legislation that would bolster cyber reporting and data privacy standards for businesses; and, in Texas, tighten cybersecurity standards for water utilities.

Created by gubernatorial executive order, the state’s new Department of Governmental Efficiency team will work to “promote efficiency, maximize productivity and eliminate waste in state and local government.”

In her State of the State address this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to call for state legislation to address smartphone distractions in schools, but local control remains important to many superintendents.

A bipartisan group of senators in the state Legislature is currently pushing for more restrictions on convincing computer-generated sexually explicit images of real people.