With the increased public interest in emerging technologies, Virginia lawmakers hope hiring a full-time director and policy analyst will help advance the commonwealth’s knowledge and focus on innovation.

Last month, Jodi Kuhn, an expert in data analytics and ethics from Richmond, was selected as the Joint Commission on Technology and Science’s executive director, the first since its establishment in 1997. 

Kuhn, who served as the director of data quality and visualization for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, said she hopes to use her experience in the private sector and 15 years in the executive branch to enable “responsible innovation by providing objective, non-partisan research to our legislatures.”

She said she’s already received support from universities in and beyond the commonwealth, including Virginia Tech and the Wharton School at UPenn, that includes consultation and reports around Blockchain technologies, a method for recording information, and is forthcoming for the commission.  

In the last session, the Virginia legislature authorized the commission to appoint an executive director to support the group of lawmakers from both the House and Senate. Staff from legislative services split their regular duties by supporting the commission.

Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, commission chair, said legislators face several challenges in dealing with complex technology issues and, in most cases, have limited expertise. With the help of Kuhn, Hayes said he hopes to have thorough research and recommendations when reviewing technology legislation.

“We’re not in the business of passing ideas. We are literally passing laws that the commonwealth’s citizens and businesses are going to have to follow, so that in itself, begs us to do our due diligence the way that we should before we actually pass law,”  Hayes said.

Hayes thanked previous legislators and staff for laying the groundwork for hiring a dedicated staff and the successes thus far.

Kuhn said the commission will continue reviewing over a dozen bills from the last legislative session that range from blockchain technology, to artificial technology, to online and data protections. 

“The depth and breath of bills that came to JCOTS demonstrate that our legislature is clearly ready to dive deeper into these topics. Having full-time, dedicated staff, Virginia is now poised to be at the forefront of leveraging advances in science and technology in a manner that keeps our citizens, and especially our children, safe.”