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HB 819

DIT Agency Bill.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Hugh Blackwell and 13 co-sponsors

The bill strengthens privacy and governance for the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System, while speeding broadband deployment by clarifying reimbursements, timelines, and disput

Special Message Sent To Senate
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Bill Summary · HB 819

HB 819 — “DIT Agency Bill” (North Carolina) — Summary

Note: Multiple jurisdictions used the bill number “HB 819” in 2025 for unrelated measures. This summary covers the North Carolina “DIT Agency Bill” versions (editions/committee substitute) that amend state statutes on the Department of Information Technology (DIT), the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System, and the state broadband pole replacement program.

Main purpose

HB 819 updates statutes to (1) clarify which entities are exempt from DIT oversight and how they may opt in; (2) strengthen governance, privacy, and operational rules for the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System; and (3) amend the Broadband Pole Replacement Program to speed broadband deployment by clarifying reimbursement, timelines, and dispute procedures.

Key provisions

A. Department of Information Technology (DIT) / exemptions and governance

  • Revises G.S. 143B‑1320(b) to list entities exempt from DIT oversight (General Assembly, Judicial Department, UNC System and constituent institutions, State Highway Patrol) while allowing those entities to elect in writing to participate in DIT programs and contracts (procurement, IT services).
  • Requires written election procedures (e.g., Legislative Services Commission for General Assembly; Board of Governors for UNC).
  • Extends/clarifies pilot exemptions for certain DPS divisions (State Highway Patrol, SBI, Division of Emergency Management) — pilot expiration extended to June 30, 2027 in substitute language.
  • Directs the State CIO to prepare transition plans for participating agencies and to ensure consolidation does not adversely affect operations.

B. North Carolina Longitudinal Data System (Chapter 116E)

  • Clarifies definitions (student data, de‑identified data, UID, workforce data) and confirms the System’s purpose: aggregate student and workforce data to inform policy and improve education outcomes.
  • Limits linkage of student and workforce data to no longer than 5 years from date of completion or latest attendance.
  • Places the System administratively within DPI but requires it to operate independently of DPI and State Board of Education.
  • Empowers the Governmental Data Analytics Center (the “Center”) to: publish an inventory of proposed student data; develop security, privacy, and compliance policies (FERPA, HIPAA, IDEA, CJIS, Internal Revenue Code where relevant); require safeguards in vendor contracts; adopt rules under Chapter 150B; and report annually to legislative oversight bodies.
  • Requires standards for electronic transcripts and establishes advisory and data‑quality duties.

C. Broadband Pole Replacement Program (S.L. 2021‑180 amendments)

  • Reimbursement: communications service providers may apply for reimbursement equal to 50% of eligible pole replacement costs (or, in prior text, up to $10,000 per pole where applicable); clarified treatment for undergrounding costs.
  • Pole owner obligations: provide make‑ready cost estimates within 60 days of a complete access application; estimates remain valid 14 days; make‑ready work conditioned on payment; reasonable completion timelines; multiple requests within 90 days may be treated as one application.
  • Dispute resolution: parties may use Utilities Commission dispute procedures (G.S. 62‑350); Commission to issue final order within 120 days (extendable for cause with parties’ agreement).
  • Reporting: Department must publish on its website, within 60 days of appropriation and quarterly thereafter, metrics such as # of applications received/processed/rejected and reasons.

Who is affected

  • State IT governance: DIT, State CIO, impacted state agencies (UNC, DPI, DPS divisions).
  • Education entities: local school administrative units, UNC institutions, community colleges, data researchers, and the longitudinal data Center.
  • Broadband ecosystem: communications service providers, pole owners, utilities, and unserved communities targeted for broadband expansion.
  • Vendors/contractors interacting with the System (new data security and contract provisions).

Timeline / procedural status (NC)

  • Introduced April 2025; committee substitute and third‑edition engrossed June 24–25, 2025.
  • Special message sent to Senate (House action June 26, 2025) per legislative actions provided.
  • Some provisions contingent on or coordinated with other bills (e.g., HB 549 referenced).

Potential impacts

  • Administrative and compliance costs for agencies and vendors to meet new privacy/security, procurement, and reporting requirements.
  • Broadband deployment could be accelerated by clarified reimbursement and stricter timelines; costs borne partly by State reimbursements (50% of eligible pole costs).
  • Enhanced data availability and governance for education and workforce planning, balanced by tightened privacy controls and a five‑year limit on certain linkages.

If you want, I can produce:
- A one‑page explainer tailored for local school systems or for broadband providers, or
- A comparison table showing edits to G.S. 143B‑1320, Chapter 116E, and S.L. 2021‑180 side‑by‑side with current law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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