BIPA Update
As all of you know, Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) reform is one of the Illinois Chamber’s biggest priority this year. House Bill 559, sponsored by Leader Durkin, has been moved to 3rd reading. We are working the roll call and hope to see it called next week.
The Senate Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee had testimony on the Senate version of the bill this Monday. I testified in support of the measure, while the ACLU testified against. Each of the business groups filed witness slips in support of the measure. Notably the plaintiff’s bar did not take a position.
If you’re wondering why we are pushing so hard on this issue, Melissa Siebert a partner at SHB and witness in favor of the reform measure summed it up:
If you’d like to help, and we’d very much appreciate it, please contact House members particularly on the Democratic side of the aisle.
Future of Work Taskforce
SB 2481 (Villivalam) passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday. This bill creates the Illinois Future of Work Act which makes a task force to study technology, automation, artificial intelligence and how it will impact the future workforce. The task force shall issue a report on these issues by November of 2022. Each legislative leader will appoint one person from the business community and one from labor. The Governor will have four appointments. The Chamber supported this initiative as this is a key issue for the Tech Council and we wanted to make sure to have a seat at the table. If you’d be interest in serving on this task force, let me know.
Transportation Network Providers Act Extension (TNPA)
SB 2183 (Sims) would extend the TNPA for one year. The act is scheduled to sunset this June. For the unfamiliar, the TNPA is the enabling statute for ride sharing companies like Tech Council members Lyft and Uber.
As an aside, the Tech Council applauds Senator Sims who has carried several bills of great benefit to the tech community this year.
Amendments of Interest Filed this Week
HB 2553 Floor Amendment 1 (Williams) - Creates the Protecting Household Privacy Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall not obtain household electronic data or direct the acquisition of household electronic data from a private third party, unless (i) the law enforcement agency obtains a court order based upon probable cause, or (ii) the owner of the household electronic device consents to voluntarily provide the desired household electronic data.
SB 715 (Bush)- Digital Fair Repair. The Chamber has always opposed “fair repair” laws as being harmful both to business and consumers. We’ve been informed the sponsor is seeking a subject matter hearing on the issue. We will remain vigilant to make sure Illinois isn’t the first state to have this law pass.
Committee Updates
House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & IT Committee was canceled this week. It has not yet been scheduled for next week.
Key Legislation
Now that committee deadline has passed, and third reading deadline approaches, an update on all the bills the Tech Council is tracking is here.
The key bill list for the entire Illinois Chamber can be found here.
Articles of Interest
Until next time,
Clark
