New temporary working group created by Act 154 will study statewide data sharing, task force hears

Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) staff updated the Data Task Force on Act 154, a recently enacted law that establishes a temporary working group to study statewide data sharing arrangements and reporting.

Rebecca, an ETS staff member, said the act (referred to in the meeting as Act 154) creates a working group separate from the existing data task force to consider statewide data-sharing plans. "This is not a permanent working group," Rebecca said, noting the statute specifies the working group will cease to exist on June 30, 2027.

Rebecca said ETS and the task force had requested two positions to support the work but that those resources did not appear in the final enactment. She outlined two immediate questions for members: how to accomplish the required work without additional staff and how the temporary working group should coordinate with the standing data task force.

Rebecca also summarized ETS's pending budget requests for master data management tools, a data sharing platform, and four staff positions intended to support data governance, privacy protection and secure data exchange across agencies. She said the governor submitted a notice of intent to veto the entire state budget on June 6, which could affect funding timelines.

Task force members were asked to consider collaboration plans and to bring suggestions for how the two groups could divide responsibilities if resources remain limited. Rebecca said ETS expects to return with a proposed plan and indicated members should expect more discussion in future meetings.