GeekPAC

AB 1668 is the bill that would, if passed:

“require all state agencies, beginning on or after January 1, 2008, to create, exchange, and preserve all documents, as specified, in an open extensible markup language-based, XML-based file format, and to start to become equipped to receive any document in an open, XML-based file format, as specified.”

Basically, it mandates that data be exchanged in openly accessible formats. More stipulations follow:

(1) Interoperable among diverse internal and external platforms and applications.
(2) Fully published and available royalty-free.
(3) Implemented by multiple vendors.
(4) Controlled by an open industry organization with a well-defined inclusive process for evolution of the standard.

This is pretty self-explanatory. (2) and (3) are there to ensure that whatever the solution, it must not be controlled by any single organization or entity. (1) is there so as not to lock the user into any platform. And (4) just means that whatever document standard is used should be under the auspices of a transparent standards body.