63A-16-110. Use of authorized domain extensions for government websites.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 3/27/2025

(1)As used in this section:

(a)"Authorized top-level domain" means any of the following suffixes that follow the domain name in a website address:

(i)gov;

(ii)edu; and

(iii)mil.

(b)"Governmental entity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 63G-2-103 .

(c)"Government website" means the same as that term is defined in Section 63A-19-101 .

(d)"Person" means the same as that term is defined in Section 63G-2-103 .

(e)"School" means a public elementary or secondary school.

(2)Beginning July 1, 2025, a governmental entity shall use an authorized top-level domain for:

(a)the website address for the governmental entity's government website; and

(b)the email addresses used by the governmental entity and the governmental entity's employees.

(3)Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a governmental entity may operate a website that uses a top-level domain that is not an authorized top-level domain if:

(i)a reasonable person would not mistake the website as the governmental entity's primary government website; and

(ii)the government website is:

(A)solely for internal use and not intended for use by members of the public;

(B)temporary and in use by the governmental entity for a period of less than one year; or

(C)related to an event, program, or informational campaign operated by the governmental entity in partnership with another person that is not a governmental entity; or

(b)the governmental entity is a school district or a school that is not an institution of higher education and the use of an authorized top-level domain is otherwise prohibited, provided that once the use of an authorized top-level domain is not otherwise prohibited, the school district or school shall transition to an authorized top-level domain within 15 months.

(4)The chief information officer appointed under Section 63A-16-201 may authorize a waiver of the requirement in Subsection

(2)if:

(a)there are extraordinary circumstances under which use of an authorized domain extension would cause demonstrable harm to citizens or businesses; and

(b)the executive director or chief executive of the governmental entity submits a written request to the chief information officer that includes a justification for the waiver.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 475 , 2025 General Session