AB 2812, which is in suspense, would create an Office of Local Cloud Migration and Digital Innovation within the Department of Technology. The bill would require the office to promote the use of cloud-based computing, data storage and other efficiencies that would help local agencies improve transparency, disaster preparedness and response, as well as general accessibility to the public.
Leadership in the state’s largest local jurisdiction — Los Angeles County, and its Board of Supervisors — was encouraged by the bill’s intent.
“While there are many details yet to be determined with the new technology Assembly bills, the public should be pleased that our elected officials are focusing on increasing the efficiency of government and improving service delivery to the public through technology,” said Jeramy Gray, acting chief deputy and executive officer for the Board of Supervisors.
“What is most refreshing,” Gray told Techwire, “is the recommended bill language that references the need for public-private partnerships; which, in my opinion, is not leveraged enough in government. Legislation that promotes not contracting or outsourcing but rather true collaborative relationships with the private-sector ecosystem would drastically shift the paradigm.”
Gray also noted, “Many smaller jurisdictions don’t have the in-house resources or expertise to realize true digital transformation, so creating a support mechanism created through effective legislation is of true value.”
The CDT itself, which would be responsible for creating the new office, declined to comment on AB 2812. The department as a rule doesn’t comment on pending or potential legislation, said spokesman Bryce Brown.
If AB 2812 ultimately passes, it would strengthen the working relationship between the state and county governments, said Jerry Becker, Information Systems director for San Joaquin County.
Becker, who is president of the California County Information Service Directors Association (CCISDA), noted that that organization and the CDT “have recently begun a partnership to improve service to the public.”
Becker commented on AB 2812 in his role as San Joaquin CIO, not on behalf of CCISDA.
“I believe the proposed legislation will expand and strengthen that partnership between the State and County technology organizations,” he told Techwire. “It is my hope that AB 2812, if passed, will foster utilization of industry-leading practices (like the use of Cloud services) which will clearly result in long-term savings and efficiencies for government. It is also my hope that legislation of this type will lead to broad data storage, security and data sharing standards which will further improve service to the residents of California.”
Assemblymember Monique Limon backs the measure.
“Despite the existence of more cost-effective and accessible technologies, many local agencies lack the resources and expertise needed to make the upfront shift to technological practices such as cloud-based services,” Limon spokesperson Ilan Zur told Techwire. “The intent of this bill is to modernize systems of data storage, transparency, and data recovery at the local level, by giving the CDT the capacity to help local agencies take crucial, cost saving technological steps.”