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Committee hears debate over student-data opt-out and fiscal cost of security requirements
Summary
Senate Bill 118 would let students opt out of inclusion in a statewide student-data system and add security standards; sponsors and agency witnesses debated fiscal notes including a $150,000 SOC 2 contract estimate and the potential $600,000 total cost, with the sponsor agreeing to work with agencies on technical tweaks and a revised fiscal note.
Senate Bill 118, presented by Senator Daniel Zolnikov, would create an opt-out option for a statewide student-data system and codify security standards for vendors. Zolnikov said the aim is to protect student privacy while allowing a statewide system to identify educational trends.
The Office of Public Instruction's CFO April Grady and other informational witnesses described the fiscal-note origins and the effect of recent bill amendments. Grady said the original fiscal estimate assumed multiple data systems and the SOC 2 security-report requirement produced a roughly $150,000 per-contract figure on which the fiscal note was based; amendments narrowed the systems to one overseen by the data workforce board and could reduce the projected cost.
Deputy Commissioner Jay Phillips (DLI) and John Thunstrom (MUS IT) explained why the agency uses Social Security numbers as matching keys and how the bill's amendments address technical concerns.
Senators repeatedly asked for clarity on the fiscal note and security costs. Zolnikov acknowledged the fiscal note confusion and said he would work with OPI, DOA, and other agencies to produce clarifying amendments and a revised fiscal note. "If you have 1 employee to do these opt outs ... maybe it would take a few minutes," Zolnikov said, questioning an initial estimate that implied higher staffing costs.
Outcome: Sponsor said he would return with amendments and a revised fiscal note; the hearing closed with an agreement to continue technical work before further floor action.
