State Lawmakers Coordinating on ISP Privacy, Says Washington Senator
There won’t be a patchwork of disparate state ISP privacy laws because lawmakers in 18 states with bills are coordinating, said Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker (D) Thursday at a Senate Energy, Environment and Technology Committee hearing. The panel heard…
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debate on Ranker’s SB-5919, which would counter congressional repeal of the FCC broadband privacy rules. Ranker said it’s "unconscionable that these rules were not adopted at the federal level, but it's one more example of why states matter.” Sen. Lisa Wellman (D) supported the bill but said she’s worried how different rules in different states might burden businesses. Ranker responded that bills should be similar because he’s coordinating with 17 other states basing language on repealed FCC rules. Industry witnesses opposed the bill. It’s too broadly written and will bring litigation and hurt the state economy, said Washington Technology Industry Association CEO Michael Schutzler. State rules aren’t needed because the FTC will reassert privacy jurisdiction after the FCC’s December net neutrality order takes effect, said CTIA Assistant Vice President Gerard Keegan. Sen. John McCoy (D) rejected arguments that the federal government is better suited to protect consumers than states: “The feds do not have the individual in mind.” Also Thursday, a Washington House committee scheduled a Jan. 18 hearing on that chamber's ISP privacy bill (HB-2200), two net neutrality bills (HB-2282, HB-2284) and a small-cells wireless bill (HB-2592). Democratic state lawmakers across the country are promising another run at ISP privacy rules this year (see 1801090054). Indiana Rep. Matt Pierce (D) Thursday introduced an ISP privacy bill (HB-1300).