A fiscal note of $22.4 million and your bill is dead.

But perhaps not dead dead.

House Bill 435 would require data encryption by several state agencies.

The projected cost of $22.4M in the first year, then $8.7M every year thereafter, normally lays a bill to rest.

If an agency opposes a bill, it may inflate the projected cost.

However, this legislation was prompted, in part, by the legislative auditor’s recommendation that certain agencies encrypt personal information.

I suggested to the sponsor that he find out the costs incurred by the audited departments.

“The point of the bill is very important, but the fiscal note is daunting,” said a ranking member of my committee.

House Bill 435 may be revived.