You feel that, that feeling of things starting to right size? That’s Indiana back in the NCAA tournament. By this time next week, my bracket might be busted but today everything seems just a little sweeter.
Session Update
Only the House will be in next week, as the Senate is taking a week off. We have less than a month to go before the scheduled adjournment, currently set for April 8.
No one really believes April 8th will be the final day of session this year. It will merely signal a break before a frantic return for a few days in May.
I do think that the looming primaries are tamping down the most outrageous proposals, however. Expect some of those to return for the Veto and Lame Duck sessions after the general election.
App Store Bills Update
Senate Judiciary held a subject matter hearing on SB 3417 (Feigenholtz) which places restrictions on app stores. Senator Feignholtz says these app stores are “monopolies” which create unfair competition. She claims that for the “smaller digital only” companies the tech companies keep up to 30%. Of course, this is only after the first $1,000,000 in sales. The sponsor’s examples of small business were all household, national names. These are not main street, mom and pop, companies. Testifying in favor of the measure was Consumer Reports.
An identical hearing was held in the House Cybersecurity Committee.
The Illinois Chamber joins TechNet and others in opposition to this legislation as it presents both cybersecurity and constitutional law concerns.
Committee Updates
House Cybersecurity Committee will meet March 17th at 10 am. There is one bill posted, SB 3939 which establishes a cybersecurity liaison with school districts and local governments. Further, it prohibits the purchase of products by the state which the federal government has banned due to cybersecurity updates.
Some Interesting Crypto Notes
First, the US Department of Labor issued new guidance on 401k plan investments and crypto. Here is their summary:
Second, President Biden issued an executive order calling on the federal government to study both new crypto regulations and also a potential new United States backed digital currency. NBC has a nice summary here.
