Summary

Requires state agencies to creat, exchange, or maintain their documents in an open Extensible Markup Language (XML) format.

Background

Citizens shouldn't have to buy propriety software to access public documents or databases

Political Context

MA has passed such a bill, and MN is currently considering similar language./1/,/2/ An identical bill has been filed in the Texas Senate, SB 446. Microsoft is lobbying against this bill in California./3/

Links

/1/ Lombardi, Candace "OpenDocument up for adoption in Texas, Minnesota" CNET News 2/7/07
/2/ Upgrove, Andy "Meanwhile, Deep Down in Texas: An Open Format Bill is Filed" ConsortiumInfo.org Standards Blog 2/6/07
/3/ Anonymous Comment Microsoft asking people to write letters opposing California A.B. 1668 - Open Document Format" Groklaw