HB1548

House Bill 1548 abolishes the Arkansas Data and Transparency Panel and transfers its responsibilities for statewide data governance, integration, and public transparency to the Division of Information Systems (DIS). The bill repeals existing statutes that created the multi-agency panel and formalizes a new administrative framework under Section 25-4-130. Under this new structure, the DIS is tasked with overseeing a statewide data program, maintaining a shared services data hub, and managing a longitudinal data system for education and workforce outcomes. To facilitate this, each cabinet-level department is required to appoint a 'data steward' responsible for data governance, cataloging, and coordination with the DIS. The bill mandates that the DIS must maintain a public portal and provide annual reports to the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology. Furthermore, it clarifies that interagency data sharing does not constitute a public disclosure and maintains existing state and federal confidentiality standards as they existed on January 1, 2025.