Which Enterprise Systems Are Covered by SB 272
Governor Brown approved SB 272 in October 2015, adding section 6270.5 to the California Public Records Act (the
“Act,” Government Code Sections 6250-6276.48). Section 6270.5 defines an enterprise system as a software
application or computer system that collects, stores, exchanges, and analyzes information that the agency uses
that is (1) a multi-departmental system or system that contains information collected about the public and (2) a
system of record. A system of record means a system that serves as an original source of data within an agency.
Stated plainly, SB 272 requires local agencies to create a catalog of multi-departmental systems or systems
containing information about the public that store original records and post the catalog on their agency website.
Which Systems Are Excluded
Enterprise systems do not include cybersecurity systems, infrastructure and mechanical control systems, or
information that would reveal vulnerabilities to, or otherwise increase the potential for an attack on, a public
agency’s IT system. Additionally, section 6270.5 does not automatically require disclosure of the specific records
that the IT systems collect, store, exchange or analyze, however, the Act’s other provisions pertaining to
disclosure of such records still apply.
