Rep. Winslow files bill in North Carolina House to amend IT statutes

A new bill filed by State Rep. Matthew Winslow in the North Carolina House seeks to improve data integration and security within the Department of Information Technology, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 819 on April 7 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘DIT Agency Bill.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill seeks to amend various statutes related to the Department of Information Technology in North Carolina, focusing on establishing and implementing the North Carolina Longitudinal Data System (NCLDS) for integrating educational and workforce data statewide. It outlines regulations to ensure data privacy, security, and compliance with federal standards like FERPA and HIPAA. A key feature is the development of a standardized system for managing and analyzing student and workforce data, aimed at improving educational outcomes and workforce readiness. Additionally, for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, the bill allocates $25 million annually to enhance the Department’s cybersecurity capabilities. It also earmarks $3.8 million each fiscal year for the further development of the NC HealthConnex system. The bill mandates an assessment of duplicative IT spending across state agencies to enhance efficiency and cost savings, with results due by October 1, 2026. It also requires coordination with several state offices to establish IT-specific fund codes by December 1, 2025, with the entire act effective on July 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (30) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Winslow graduated from East Carolina University with a BS.

Winslow, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 7th House district, replacing previous state representative Lisa Barnes.