a. It is in the interest of this State to increase public awareness of and access to the data created by and available from State agencies because such data can enhance transparency and accountability, encourage public engagement, and stimulate public policy and public service innovation;

b. The data generated by the Executive Branch of State government can spur economic development because it enables private sector companies to use such data to produce innovative and creative items and services that benefit the citizens of this State;

c. The efficient integration, management, and governance of data will greatly improve State government programs and the delivery of a wide range of services to New Jersey’s citizens, thereby enhancing their lives;

d. At the same time, it is vitally important that the data held by one State agency be made readily available to other State agencies with a minimum of administrative hurdles, so that data shared across the Executive Branch contribute to the effective and cost-efficient delivery of a wide range of government information and services; and

e. The Office of Information Technology, with the cooperation of the Department of the Treasury, is the appropriate agency to develop, coordinate, and oversee the presentation of government data to the public and the sharing of information among State government agencies so that the information and services those agencies provide can be delivered in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.

L.2017, c.2, s.2.