ND HB1048

Creates a new section to North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-59 authorizing the department to research and develop distributed ledger-enabled platform technologies, such as blockchains, for computer-controlled programs, data transfer, storage, and program regulation.

Requires research efforts to protect against falsification, improve internal data security, identify external hacking threats, and safeguard the privacy of personal identifying information within distributed ledger programs.

Authorizes the department to select a state agency, upon the agency's request, to serve as a pilot program for implementing and using distributed ledger-enabled platform technologies.

Requires the chief information officer to report to legislative management before June 1st of each even-numbered year regarding the implementation of distributed ledger technologies.

Passed the House 92-0 (2 absent) and the Senate 42-0 (5 absent) during the 2019 regular session.