Government Modernization.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 667

Short Title: Government Modernization. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Theodros, Chaudhuri, and Salvador (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 26, 2025
*S667-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO MODERNIZE NORTH CAROLINA GOVER NMENT INFRASTRUCTURE 2
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY U PGRADES, CYBERSECURI TY ENHANCEMENTS, 3
BLOCKCHAIN INTEGRATION, AND PUBLIC SERVICE DIGITIZATION. 4
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 5
SECTION 1. Title. – This act shall be known and may be cited as the Government 6
Modernization Act of 2025. 7
SECTION 2.(a) Findings. – The General Assembly finds that: 8
(1) Many State agencies continue to operate with outdated legacy IT systems, 9
leading to inefficiencies in service delivery and data management. 10
(2) Cybersecurity threats pose a growing risk to public data, necessitating stronger 11
protections and advanced security measures. 12
(3) Blockchain technology presents an opportunity to enhance transparency, 13
reduce fraud, and streamline government transactions. 14
(4) Expanding online government services will improve accessibility for North 15
Carolina residents and businesses, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and 16
increasing operational efficiency. 17
SECTION 2.(b) Purpose. – The purpose of this Act is to modernize North Carolina's 18
government operations by implementing advanced technological solutions to enhance efficiency, 19
security, and accessibility in public services. 20
SECTION 3. Digital Infrastructure Overhaul. – The Departm ent of Information 21
Technology (DIT) shall oversee the modernization of IT infrastructure across all State agencies, 22
including: 23
(1) Upgrading outdated legacy systems to enhance interoperability and 24
efficiency. 25
(2) Implementing cloud -based solutions for im proved data management and 26
service continuity. 27
(3) Establishing centralized digital records management to facilitate inter-agency 28
coordination and reduce redundancies. 29
SECTION 4.(a) Assessment. – State agencies shall conduct a comprehensive 30
assessment of their current IT infrastructure within six months of the enactment of this Act and 31
submit modernization plans to DIT for review and implementation. 32
SECTION 4.(b) Cybersecurity and Data Protection. – The State Chief Information 33
Officer (CIO) shall develop and implement enhanced cybersecurity protocols, including: 34
(1) Multi-factor authentication and encryption standards for all government 35
digital platforms. 36
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 667-First Edition
(2) Continuous monitoring and rapid response measures for cyber threats. 1
(3) Mandatory cybersecurity training for all State employees handling digital 2
information. 3
SECTION 4.(c) Task Force. – The State Cybersecurity Task Force shall be 4
established to oversee the implementation of security measures and report annually to the General 5
Assembly on progress and emerging threats. 6
SECTION 5.(a) Blockchain Integration. – The DIT, in consultation with the 7
Department of Administration, shall study ways in which integrating blockchain technology may 8
contribute to the following outcomes: 9
(1) Greater security in maintaining records of transactions and contracts to which 10
the State is a party. 11
(2) Enhanced verification mechanisms for licenses, permits, and certifications. 12
(3) Greater transparency for procurement processes to reduce fraud and ensure 13
accountability. 14
(4) Any other benefits to the State. 15
SECTION 5.(b) No later than 12 months after this act becomes law, the DIT shall 16
submit a report of its findings to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information 17
Technology. 18
SECTION 6.(a) Public Service Digitization and Accessibility. – State agencies shall 19
expand and improve online government services, including: 20
(1) Digital application and processing for licenses, permits, and public records. 21
(2) Online portals for tax payments, busines s filings, and other essential 22
government functions. 23
(3) Mobile-friendly platforms to enhance accessibility for residents and 24
businesses. 25
SECTION 6.(b) The Office of Digital Transformation shall be established within 26
the DIT to oversee the digitization of government services and ensure seamless user experience 27
across platforms. 28
SECTION 7. Funding and Implementation. – The General Assembly shall 29
appropriate necessary funds for the implementation of this act, with priority funding allocated to: 30
(1) IT infrastructure upgrades. 31
(2) Cybersecurity enhancements. 32
(3) Blockchain pilot programs. 33
(4) Expansion of technology partners to ensure cost -effective and innovative 34
solutions in the implementation of this act. 35
SECTION 8. Reporting and Accountability. – The DIT shall submit an annual 36
progress report to the General Assembly detailing the implementation status, challenges, and 37
recommendations related to government modernization efforts. The Joint Legislative Oversight 38
Committee on Digital Governance shall be estab lished to oversee implementation and ensure 39
compliance with this act. 40
SECTION 9. Effective Date. – This act becomes effective July 1, 2025, and expires 41
June 30, 2030. 42