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MarylandSB 02002026 Regular SessionSenate

State Government - Council for Open Data - Membership and Responsibilities

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Information Technology - GenerallyCommunity DevelopmentCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Data -see also- Census; DemographicsNamesOpen GovernmentPublic Officials -see also- Atty Gen; Compt; Coun Admin; etcReportsSocial Services -see also- Public Benefits

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Open Data Council leadership and operations

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Chief Data Officer chairs the Council. Staffing comes from the Department of Information Technology and any staff the Governor names. The Council may set workgroups and must meet at least twice each year. It must file a yearly report to the Governor and General Assembly by January 10. The body’s legal name is the Council for Open Data.

Stronger open data rules and access

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Council takes on broader duties to promote open data. It advises on standards, portals, privacy, and security, and can recommend laws or rules. It coordinates state staff, seeks community partnerships, and identifies costs to guide budgets. It urges local governments and other branches to use open data portals and align policies. It builds a plan to make all open data free to the public. Agencies also follow good records and preservation practices, and check new tech purchases for openness and interoperability. The law defines “data” as factual alphanumeric or geospatial information and excludes draft files used only for internal analysis.

New rules for Open Data Council seats

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Council has 11 members. Seats include one Senator, one Delegate, the State Chief Data Officer, three local officials or employees, and five members from private, utility, academic, or nonprofit sectors. The three local seats must each come from one county group: Group 1 (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Washington); Group 2 (Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's); Group 3 (Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester). The five sector appointees must include at least one from a university, one from private business, and one from a nonprofit. Members serve four-year terms, no more than two in a row; the Governor may remove members for neglect, incompetence, or misconduct. Members do not get pay but can be reimbursed for travel under state rules. Legislators may send a direct-report staffer, and the Chief Data Officer may send a senior staffer, when they cannot attend.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 166 • No: 11

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 122 • No: 11 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 105

    4/14/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/8/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (122-11)

    4/8/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/3/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    4/3/2026House

  6. Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/26/2026House

  7. Referred Government, Labor, and Elections

    2/27/2026House

  8. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    2/26/2026Senate

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/24/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments {953728/1 Adopted

    2/24/2026Senate

  11. Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    2/23/2026Senate

  12. Hearing 2/12 at 2:00 p.m.

    2/3/2026Senate

  13. First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

    1/14/2026Senate

  14. Pre-filed

    9/26/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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