Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act

This bill, introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2017, aims to expand the use and administration of data by the government for transparency, effective governance, and innovation. It emphasizes the importance of making government data open, available, discoverable, and usable to the general public, businesses, journalists, academics, and advocates. The bill states that federal government data is a valuable national resource that, when accessed and used by the public, can promote efficiency, effectiveness, economic opportunities, scientific discovery, and a stronger democracy.

The bill defines various terms related to the use and administration of data, such as "agency," "data," "data asset," "Director," "Enterprise Data Inventory," "information resources management," "information system," "information technology," "machine-readable," "metadata," "nonpublic data asset," "open Government data asset," "open license," and "public data asset." It also sets forth requirements for government data, including the use of open formats and open licenses.

In addition, the bill requires each agency to develop and maintain an Enterprise Data Inventory that accounts for all data assets controlled, collected, created, or maintained by the agency. The Chief Information Officer of each agency is responsible for ensuring the availability and accuracy of the Enterprise Data Inventory, as well as the publication of public data assets in an open format and under an open license. The bill also establishes a technology portal to facilitate the adoption of open data practices and mandates a review of agency evaluation and analysis capabilities.

The bill concludes with a rule of construction stating that it does not require the disclosure of information or records exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill is scheduled to take effect 180 days after its enactment.

Rep. Will Hurd

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