Meet the Tech-Savviest Legislators in the US

Technology has become a major factor in many of the proposals introduced by lawmakers during state legislative sessions. But it can be difficult to zero-in on the elected leaders who have their fingers on the pulse of and are truly engaged in the latest tech issues -- until now.

Government Technology has produced a list of 13 state senators and representatives who have shown a keen interest in and willingness to tackle technology policy and legislation. The legislators included on the interactive map were based on recommendations from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), the National Association of Counties (NACo) the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council of State Governments (CSG) and other experts. Those recommendations were researched and vetted by Government Technology Senior Writer Brian Heaton and Managing Editor Noelle Knell.

These include: Washington Rep Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle); Nebraska Sen Dan Watermeier, (Lincoln); Illinois Sen Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago); Illinois Sen Don Harmon (D-Oak Park); California Sen Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima); Minnesota Sen Matt Schmit (DFL-Red Wing); Washington Rep Jeff Morris (D-Mount Vernon); North Dakota Rep Blair Thoreson (R-Fargo); and Minnesota Rep Joe Atkins (DFL-District 52B).