Here’s hoping this isn’t my last newsletter.
Later today, my dad is dropping off my 86-year-old grandmother and a 10-week-old golden retriever for a 10 day stay here in the capital city. My wife is a saint for putting up with the chaos, but if you don’t hear from me next week, well, it won’t take Lester Holt to solve this mystery.
Right to Repair on Hold- For Now.
Right to Repair (HB 3061) was not called Thursday in Cybersecurity committee. Proponents are working on an amendment to limit the bill to medical devices. Their working plan is to file that amendment in the next week or two, but to hold off on any further hearings/votes until after the spring session concludes. I would guess this reemerges in Veto (November) or Lame Duck (early January). We will keep you informed as the Chamber maintains strong concerns about this idea.
Committee Updates
Another week, another deadline. This time it is the House’s turn. Today is the deadline to get House bills out of committee. A word of warning don’t be too alarmed at some of the committee votes you see. There was a lot of “help me get this out of committee and I’ll agree to hold it until we get an amendment to bring back.” A lopsided “yes” vote total does not always signal support.
Cybersecurity Committee
The only bill heard in Cybersecurity was HB 5165 (Chairman Robinson). This bill received unanimous support. It sets up a cybersecurity liaison within the state’s DoIT agency and requires one in municipalities over 35,000 people. That’s roughly Illinois’ 50 biggest municipalities. Towns under that threshold may opt in. The municipal liaison will coordinate with DoIT in the event of a cyber incident.
As we pass committee deadline, I'd like to say kudos to Chairman Robinson who early into his term as Chair has done a great job handling the committee. Chairman Robinson has been an ally to the tech community to help foster Illinois' growing tech reputation.
House Judiciary- Civil
Sadly, the business coalition BIPA bill, HB 4692 (Wheeler) was sent to a subcommittee without a hearing. We continue to push on this issue. A letter cosigned by over a dozen associations is being sent to the four legislative leaders on the need to address this issue urgently.
HB 5427 (Mazzochi) was heard in committee. It Provides that a court shall permit discovery of electronic records if the existence or ownership of a digital asset secured by a blockchain is factually in dispute. Both the sponsor and the Chair (Rep. Gong-Gershowitz) announced plans to put together a task force or working group on the issue. I’ve reached out to be included in any future discussions as the Chamber has many members interested in this issue. Please send me a note if you are one of them.
House Public Utilities Committee
We opposed two bills in the House Public Utilities Committee.
The first was HB 5037 (Mazzochi) which deals with utility easements. The purpose, or at the very least the end result, of the bill is to limit 5G expansion. The Chamber opposes this, and all attempts to limit 5G in Illinois.
The other is HB 4282 (Stava-Murray) which would force telecom carriers to offer higher speeds to consumers that is not economically feasible.
Both bills were sent to a subcommittee without a vote.
Bills that Passed the Senate this Week
The Senate passed a few bills out of their chamber this week. Here is the tech bill of note:
SB 3005, EV Task Force passed out of the Senate by a vote of 54-0-0. This bill provides that the Task Force shall include one member from an association representing automobile manufacturers.
