President Trumps signs OPEN Government Data Act into law

President Donald Trump signed the OPEN Government Data Act into law. The transparency measure was tucked inside a larger bill to support evidence-based policymaking. The law requires agencies to release all non-sensitive data to the public in a format that allows for easy data analysis and largely prohibits them from restricting how that information can be used. It also mandates the Office of Management and Budget help agencies stand up “comprehensive data inventor[ies]” that include metadata on every dataset they publish. The General Services Administration must create an online portal where the public can search and access information published by each agency. Under the act, agencies must also designate chief data officer to manage the organization’s data management and coordinate efforts across the government. Many agencies have already appointed people to serve that role, but the law codifies the position and establishes a Chief Data Officer Council to advise the government on open data efforts.