Minnesota considers open-format state documents
{{date|February 21, 2007}}
[[image:Flag of Minnesota.svg|right|300px|Map highlighting Minnesota]]
The "Preservation of State Documents Act" which would require open formats for Minnesota state government documents has been introduced in both the state [http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=House&f=HF0176&ssn=0&y=2007 House] and [http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=Senate&f=SF0131&ssn=0&y=2007 Senate].

Using an [[w:Open format|open format]] for documents helps ensure that documents can be read even if the editing program which created the document is not available.

The House sponsor is [[w:Paul Thissen|Paul Thissen]], while [http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1006&ls=85 Don Betzold] introduced it in the Senate.  The bill is in committee.

<blockquote>
Effective July 1, 2008, all documents including text, spreadsheets, and presentations
of the state of Minnesota shall be created, exchanged, maintained, and preserved in an
open, XML-based file format, as specified by the chief information office of the state,
that is:<br  />
(1) interoperable among diverse internal and external platforms and applications;<br  />
(2) fully published and available royalty-free;<br  />
(3) implemented by multiple vendors; and<br  />
(4) controlled by an open industry organization with a well-defined inclusive process
for evolution of the standard.<br />
By that date, the state of Minnesota shall be able to accept
all documents received in open document format for office applications and shall not
migrate to a file format currently used by only one organization.
</blockquote>
==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/16736464.htm|title=Formatting history|author=Leslie Brooks Suzukamo|pub=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=February 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0176.0.html&session=ls85|title=H.F. No. 176|author=Paul Thissen|pub=Minnesota House of Representatives|date=January 17, 2007 }}

{{publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Minnesota]]
[[category:FLOSS]]
Map highlighting Minnesota
The "Preservation of State Documents Act" which would require open formats for Minnesota state government documents has been introduced in both the state  House and  Senate.

Using an open format for documents helps ensure that documents can be read even if the editing program which created the document is not available.

The House sponsor is Paul Thissen, while  Don Betzold introduced it in the Senate.  The bill is in committee.


Effective July 1, 2008, all documents including text, spreadsheets, and presentations
of the state of Minnesota shall be created, exchanged, maintained, and preserved in an
open, XML-based file format, as specified by the chief information office of the state,
that is:
(1) interoperable among diverse internal and external platforms and applications;
(2) fully published and available royalty-free;
(3) implemented by multiple vendors; and
(4) controlled by an open industry organization with a well-defined inclusive process
for evolution of the standard.
By that date, the state of Minnesota shall be able to accept
all documents received in open document format for office applications and shall not
migrate to a file format currently used by only one organization.
Crime and law Science and technology North America United States Minnesota