The "Source code Harmonization And Reuse in Information Technology Act" (SHARE IT Act) is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the way government agencies manage, share, and reuse software code developed within or for the federal government. The bill mandates the sharing of custom-developed code through public or private repositories, seeks to enhance government-wide access to such software, and enforces transparency and accountability by laying down procedures for exemptions and requiring detailed reporting. It targets facilitating collaboration between federal employees and aims to reduce redundant software development efforts.

General Summary

The SHARE IT Act requires that custom-developed software code funded by the federal government or created by federal employees be stored in accessible repositories. In addition, the bill sets deadlines for establishing policies to ensure that metadata related to these codes is publicly available. This is intended to foster reuse and facilitate collaboration while maintaining a level of transparency and accountability through consistent documentation and reporting. Moreover, the bill anticipates challenges regarding software that involves national security, classified information, or privacy risks, by outlining exemptions that provide discretion and oversight to agency Chief Information Officers. The bill also tasks the Comptroller General with assessing its implementation within two years.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several concerns arise from the language and provisions of the SHARE IT Act. A major issue is the vague criteria for what classifies as "classified source code" or code involved in national security, potentially leading to excessive classification and reduced transparency. Similarly, the terms "key technical components of the code" and "best practices" require further definition to ensure consistent implementation across agencies. The bill lacks specific enforcement mechanisms for reporting requirements, meaning there is little accountability for non-compliance. Furthermore, exemptions granted by agency CIOs appear to lack oversight, risking inconsistent application. Finally, the act does not provide additional funding for implementation, potentially overburdening agencies already limited by their budgets.

Impact on the Public

The bill's intent to streamline and optimize software processes within government agencies could have beneficial outcomes, such as cost savings and enhanced efficiency. These efficiency gains eventually have the potential to positively impact public services by redirecting resources to improve services or develop new ones. However, the ambiguous nature of certain definitions and the lack of clear pathways for enforcement may lead to challenges in meeting these goals.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Government agencies stand to benefit from increased collaboration and reduced software development costs. However, the lack of designated funding could strain existing resources, as agencies might struggle to adapt to and fulfill new requirements without additional support.

Federal employees, particularly those in information technology departments, might experience an increase in workload due to new requirements for code documentation, storage, and sharing while having to comply with new policies and guidelines. The increased spotlight on sharing might encourage more innovative collaboration but could also heighten concerns about intellectual property and resource allocation.

The public may experience indirect benefits from the SHARE IT Act through more efficient government operations and improvement in federal digital services. Nonetheless, concerns about transparency, particularly surrounding exemptions related to national security and privacy, could affect public trust if such exemptions are perceived as being overused or inconsistently applied.

In conclusion, while the SHARE IT Act aims to create a unified approach to managing federal software development, the success of its implementation rests heavily on its execution across various agencies and clarity in addressing the highlighted issues.