Should the California Department of Technology create a new office, funded by anonymous donations, that would help local governments migrate to the cloud and use cloud-based computing? That's among the legislative ideas being floated by the California Technology Caucus.
The group of state legislators with a particular interest in technology bills released its annual list of legislative priorities Wednesday. Although the CDT idea is on hold for now, it's still viable.
Overall, caucus members see these bills as having the "potential to positively and substantially impact California’s innovation economy," Lerna Shirinian, spokesperson for Majority Leader Ian Calderon, told Techwire. Here's a thumbnail of each bill, some of which have generated considerable controversy:
AB 2812 (Limon) — Data storage and protection standards: The California Department of Technology would create an Office of Local Cloud Migration and Digital Innovation that would encourage cities and counties to use cloud-based computing and data storage to boost transparency and public access, according to the bill's authors. The bill is under suspense (no immediate action pending), but could be passed through the Assembly's Appropriations committee on Friday. The office would create a local assistance fund, based on donations, that would help local governments pay for migration and innovation.
"The bill would help local agencies build more cost-effective and secure data storage systems. For example, many government agencies, such as the CHP, use antiquated tape systems to back up their data. Moving to cloud-based data storage would ensure that, in the event of a disaster, mission-critical systems could be restored within 24 hours rather than several months," Assemblymember Kevin Kiley, R-Granite Bay, told Techwire in an email.
AB 2418 (Mullin) — California Smart Cities Challenge Grant Program would create a grant program to help cities use new technologies in transportation systems. It would also create a group under the California Transportation Commission to guide the program and certain cities by March 2020. The program would require funding, which has not been set aside, but would focus on connecting communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic through innovation.
“California is a world leader on climate change and creating cutting-edge technology, so it only makes sense that we encourage our cities to find new and innovative ways to address the transportation challenges unique to their municipality," bill author Tom Mullin told Techwire.
"AB 2418 would allow California to build on a successful federal grant program and allow our cities to pursue grant funding to address their specific transportation system needs. The CA Smart City Program would help cities incorporate emerging technologies into their transportation plans and to partner with our technology companies to achieve goals like reducing congestion, enhancing mobility, addressing environmental and climate change goals while continuing to spur innovation. I am excited that the California Transportation Commission supports this program and is prepared to develop the necessary guidelines and selection criteria for the program.”
AB 2923 (Chiu and Grayson) — Bay Area Rapid Transit District: Transit-oriented development would focus on changing zoning standards within half a mile of all BART stations to allow for much more condensed housing than is allowed in certain localities. Local jurisdictions would be required to change their zoning requirements within two years in order to match the transit-oriented development plans. The legislation's goal is to increase ridership, reduce congestion and carbon emissions through sustainable new growth, and expedite California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reviews for these kinds of projects.
SB 830 (Dodd) — Pupil instruction on media literacy: A model curriculum would require the Instructional Quality Commission and the State Board of Education to create and adopt curriculum for K-12 students in media literacy education. It would assist in students being able to critically evaluate media sources and information.
AB 2265 (Obernolte) — High school diplomas: State Seal of STEM would create a science, technology, engineering and mathematics seal that would recognize high school students for studying these subjects.
