IT committee backs city Smart City framework, warns on AI and reports House Bill 626 pulled
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Summary
The Bowie IT Committee told the council it supports the city's Smart City framework, flagged security risks with generative AI, and reported that House Bill 626, which would have advanced a Dig Once broadband policy, was withdrawn in the General Assembly this session.
The Bowie City Council’s Information Technology Committee on Feb. 18 presented its 2025–26 priorities, told the council it supports the city’s Smart City framework, and urged caution about early use of generative artificial intelligence in city operations.
John Hodges, chair of the IT Committee, summarized three principal goals: support the Smart City framework, monitor Prince George’s County AI initiatives, and track state-level broadband policies. Hodges praised the draft Smart City framework that has been circulated to department heads and said it focuses on organizational change, data-sharing standards, and using existing Microsoft 365 and other tools more effectively to reduce manual handoffs.
Hodges warned against unguarded use of generative AI for personnel, real estate or financial matters. “I would not use generative artificial intelligence today on any matter that involves personnel, real estate, or finances,” Hodges said, noting current tools can produce unreliable or insecure outputs. He recommended careful security review before adopting generative AI and said any public-facing AI use should avoid relying on weak or unverified internet sources.
On broadband policy, Hodges briefed the council on House Bill 626—a Dig Once–style bill intended to reserve conduit space when fiber is installed and to require multi-tenant buildings to be wired for multiple broadband providers. Hodges said the measure lacked a senate sponsor and was withdrawn for the session; he and the committee intend to work with Delegate Boapo, Delegate Taylor and Delegate Phillips to reintroduce or refine the approach.
Hodges also recommended monitoring a transition to a city .gov domain (cityofbowie.gov) to improve authenticity and credibility for official emails and documents. The committee said it will advise on timing and coordination if the city pursues that change.
Ending
The council received the IT Committee report. Council members asked for the Smart City framework and for staff to return with recommendations; no formal vote was taken at the meeting on IT items.
