A pair of bills that would put more government data online and make it easier for the public to search might be included in the omnibus state government finance bill.
HF625, sponsored by Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview), would require that the state’s accounting and procurement system use software that includes an application programming interface. Using an API, members of the public could access databases on state contracts, appropriations and expenditures in an open electronic format.
Gardner said the idea is to allow the public to develop their own third-party applications and Web sites using the information. For example, he said someone might use the raw data to analyze the relationship between inflation and the state’s tax system and put it online.
Similarly, HF20, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley), would direct Minnesota Management and Budget to maintain a Web site with a publicly searchable database of information on state contracts, expenditures and tax information.
Winkler said a similar Web site launched this week by MMB is difficult to use and is only accessible via Microsoft Internet Explorer. He said the bill’s provisions would establish a more comprehensive and user-friendly Web site similar to one created by the state of Missouri.
Both bills were laid over April 7 by the House State Government Finance Division for possible inclusion in its omnibus finance bill.
Some division members said that while they liked the bills, they should be crafted with a keen attention to data practices. Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville) said the state needs to be careful not to disclose private information, businesses’ proprietary information and information about security features in state contracts.
Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) sponsors SF91, the companion to HF20. It has been incorporated into SF2, sponsored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), which awaits action by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. HF625 has no Senate companion.
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