Tyler Diers
Director, Legislative Relations
630-400-3439
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May 14 2018
HOUSE HOLDS HEARING ON AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
Last week, the Illinois House Transportation Vehicles and Safety Committee held a subject-matter only hearing on the topic of autonomous vehicles. The hearing consisted several panels ranging from automobile manufacturers, trade associations, and government entities. Benjamin Brockscmidt, vice president of policy and executive director of the Chamber's Infrastructure Council testified in support of Illinois developing a technology neutral policy toward autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the Chamber highlighted that this technology could help compliment existing transportation networks including transit. The Chamber believes that much of the policy regarding AVs needs to come from the federal level but that we as a state risk developing policies that prohibit this technology not only from being used here, but also prohibit Illinois companies from competing in this area.
Others testifying in support included automobile manufacturers Ford and General Motors, representatives from the blind, the trucking industry, manufacturing industry, and the Department of Transportation.
Opponents to the hearing included the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) and the American Association for Justice. ITLA's concerns mainly focused on the need for arbitration clauses in vehicle purchases and having the automobile manufacturer liable for any accident. Whereas the American Association for Justice mainly focused on why the Illinois should not rush into being a leader on autonomous vehicles.
The hearing also heard testimony from representatives from the motorcycle community (ABATE). Much of their concerns were legitimate, however they (motorcycles) were mainly focused on being included in any final piece of legislation.
We do not expect movement on this issue this year. However, we anticipate hearings on autonomous vehicles to continue throughout the year and into next year. Rep. Mike Zalewski is the point person on autonomous vehicles and has been helpful in shepherding this process along.
The Chamber has been active in autonomous vehicles since last year when we helped support the passage of a law that would prohibit local units of government from prohibiting autonomous vehicles from operating in local jurisdictions. The enactment of that law was an instrumental first step in precluding a patchwork of laws throughout the state.
The Chamber is leading a coalition of industry leaders in this space. If you are interested in being plugged into the autonomous vehicle debate, please reach out to myself or Benjamin Brockschmidt.
15 SESSION DAYS LEFT: LOOKING AHEAD
We are in the final stretch of the spring legislative session. Only 15 legislative session days remain on the calendar.
The past three years have been in continuous summer session due to recent fiscal year budget impasses. It is too early to determine if the legislature will remain in session past May 31st. In the meantime, here are a few things the Technology Council is keeping an eye on.
Data Privacy
Ever since the House revived SB 1502, otherwise known as the "Right to Know" bill, there has been a lot of chatter about a potential amendment originating from the House. As you may recall, t
he bill as currently drafted would require websites and online services to post a privacy policy identifying the categories of personal information they collect and respond to consumer requests for all categories of personal information that was disclosed.
This bill applies to any information that "identifies, relates to, or describes" an individual. It includes things like a person's name, address, or photograph, but also "deidentified" or anonymous information such as "alias, nickname, and user name," or IP addresses.
Currently, no such amendment has surfaced but we will continue to monitor the situation.
Drones
SB 3291
(Clayborne/Evans Jr.) would preempt local drone ordinances in order to simplify and streamline drone regulations and ensure that Illinois law complies with federal guidelines. This bill is scheduled for the House Transportation Roads and Bridges Committee. The Chamber supports.
Call Centers
HB 4081 (Halpin/Bennett), otherwise known as the "call center bill" is posted for Senate Telecommunications and IT Committee this week. This bill would place egregious restrictions on companies operating call centers or back office operations in Illinois by requiring employers with 50 or more employees that intend to relocate a call center from Illinois to another state or foreign country to notify the Illinois Treasurer at least 120 days prior to the relocation.
Employers that do not notify the Treasurer would be subjected to a civil penalty of $10,000 for each day they are found in violation! Companies moving out of the state would also be blacklisted on the state Treasurer's website for public display.
We are opposed to this bill but are communicating with the Senate sponsor on a pathway forward. The deadline was extended to the last day of session, May 31st. I will testify in opposition whenever the bill is called.
DoIT Initiatives
And lastly, two bills that are initiatives of the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT).
HB 5611 (Andrade/Martinez) passed committee last week unanimously. This bill codifies the Governor's executive order into law by creating an official agency within the state. The other,
HB 5333 (Zalewski/Hutchinson) creates the Blockchain Technology Act. This bill provides for the permitted uses of blockchain technology in transactions and proceedings. The bill is currently postponed in the Senate Telecom and IT Committee.
Miscellaneous
SB 3205 (Harmon/Connor) Provides that the State Treasurer may segregate a portion of the Treasurer's State investment portfolio that at no time shall be greater than 5% (rather than 2%) of the portfolio, in the Technology Development Account IIa. Posted in House State Gov't this week.
SB 2573 (Syverson/Breen) amends the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act. Redefines "recorded message" to mean any artificial or recorded communication that includes or introduces an advertisement or constitutes telemarketing without live voice interaction (rather than any taped communication soliciting the sale of goods or services without live voice interaction). Prohibits an autodialer from providing inaccurate caller ID information in violation of a specified federal law and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.
SB 3201 (Hastings/Breen) amends the Illinois School Student Records Act. Provides that upon the discovery of a breach of security that results in the unauthorized release, disclosure, or acquisition of student information contained in a school student record, a school shall, no later than 48 hours after discovery, notify the parent of the student whose record is involved in the breach of security. Posted for the House Elementary Committee this week.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce comes out against BIPA class action as suits pile up
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