Matrix Codes Improve Mobile Access to Bill Information in Wisconsin

by Pam Greenberg

Bill watchers in a dozen or so states are used to seeing bar codes on bills, but a new kind of bar code—a matrix code—is coming to Wisconsin.  The matrix codes will speed access to bill information for anyone who has a smartphone equipped with a camera and a 2D matrix code reader.  As former NCSL Staff Chair Steve Miller, Chief of the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), explains on the LRB site: 

Starting in January 2011, Wisconsin legislative proposals (bills, amendments, and resolutions) will display a graphic code called a “matrix code” that contains a URL, or hyperlink. With an Internet-connected cell phone, you can scan the matrix code to display an associated Web page. If the proposal has been introduced, the matrix code will link to the bill status Web page. If the proposal has not been introduced, the matrix code will link to a page that reads, “No legislative proposal with that LRB number has been introduced. Wisconsin statutes require that bills, amendments, and resolutions remain confidential until they are introduced.”

Miller notes that matrix codes are widely used in Japan for marketing. The codes appear on posters or products and link to the company website or information about the product.  Matrix codes also are becoming more popular in the U.S.  NCSL used a type of matrix code, called mobile "tags,” at this year’s Legislative Summit in Louisville.  Signs with mobile tags were placed throughout the convention center so that attendees could take a picture of the tag, which would then redirect to a web page that would display the Summit agenda or press releases.

Matrix codes can also be used for exchanging contact information. When the code appears, for example, on a business card, scanning it adds the contact to your contacts list.  If a matrix code contains a phone number, you can scan the code to dial that number. 

Miller began researching matrix codes several months ago and also looked at how other state legislatures use bar codes.  He found most used them for bill processing (e.g., to make a proposed amendment instantly public and displayable on the floor, for committee reports that provide the correct bill number and action, etc.).  But Miller’s interest focused on other uses that would aid public access.  

The matrix codes have already garnered praise from at least one LRB constituent.  The University of Wisconsin Law Library, in a recent WisBlawg post, said:

Thanks to LRB Chief, Steve Miller for the heads up on this exciting new development.  I’m constantly amazed by the wonderful things that the LRB does with technology, from digital content, to RSS feeds, to Twitter, to podcasting / webcasting, and not matrix codes.  We Wisconsinites are truly lucky to have such a progressive group working to make the legislative process more accessible.

LRB's upfront cost for implementing the matrix codes was around $2,000, with no ongoing or royalty charges. 

Comments

[Steve Miller]

The Wisconsin Legislature is fortunate to have the support of an excellent I.T. group, the Legislative Technology Services Bureau, that did all the work of implementing the matrix code idea.