State Government

A new report by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers offers assistance to the public sector around complying with federal digital accessibility requirements.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has appointed Kevin Dehmer, the now-former state education commissioner, as the state’s new chief technology officer. Longtime CTO Chris Rein’s last day was Friday.

The unique deal, done without venture capital or private equity, will position Nava’s public service delivery platform as an open source, end-to-end option for agencies to modernize their tech, Nava’s CEO said.

Bryce Bailey, deputy state CISO, has been tapped to be interim CISO in the Cornhusker State following the departure of Abby Eccher-Young. The state is also looking to hire a new chief data officer.

Rein, who has been in place since May 2018, was the state’s second standalone CTO and its former deputy chief information security officer. Vernon Spencer, state chief operating officer, will step in as interim CTO.

Longtime technology issues such as broadband access, school cellphone bans, AI and modernization permeate speeches so far in 2026. But many governors in this cycle are either termed out or not seeking reelection.

The state’s Department of Economic Security is on a journey to modernize the ways in which it provides human services. Now, officials are looking to integrate AI to help staff more efficiently serve clients.

There was a record set for data breaches in 2025, and the incidents were also paired with fewer details in notification letters, raising concerns about transparency and public understanding.

Following a turbulent year in cybersecurity, the state Governor’s Technology Office is seeking to hire a new cybersecurity lead to manage risk and compliance. Nevada’s permanent CISO retired in May 2025.

If passed, a bill making its way through the Idaho legislature would not mandate the use of AI or the collection of data, but would require the State Department of Education to recommend standards and assessments.

State lawmakers are ramping up data center pursuit a year after passing controversial legislation aimed at drawing data centers to West Virginia at the expense of local government control and funding.

An ambulance billing company has agreed to pay Connecticut and Massachusetts $515,000 for a 2022 data breach that exposed private information of nearly 350,000 residents, officials said.

A new report finds labor still accounts for a large portion of the cost of deploying the necessary infrastructure. But advocates say technology is worth it, given the resiliency and future-proofing it offers.

The AI Learning and Innovation Hub empowers responsible public-sector experimentation and development of AI technology, using an open source model to support broader applications of tools that emerge.

Kyle Guerrant takes over for Michelle Lange, who is set to step down to take a job in the private sector. The state CIO departed in December for a technology role at Michigan State University.

The nonprofit advisory group GovRAMP reports that its Progressing Security Snapshot Program leads to steady cybersecurity improvements for cloud service providers who sell to government, ultimately boosting trust.

The government technology supplier says its new AI-backed tool can help states reduce costly mistakes on SNAP applications. Such mistakes could lead to even larger cuts in federal assistance.

A proposed bill to prohibit Hawaii students from using phones during the school day has been divisive among parents and teachers, with delegates at the Hawai ‘i State Teachers Association split almost down the middle.