House Rules Committee adopts substitute and advances bill to restrict certain foreign-owned apps on government devices

Representative Smit presented House Bill 42‑35 to the House Rules Committee as a measure to "enhance cybersecurity by regulating the use of certain applications on government issued devices." He said the bill would require public employers to block prohibited applications on public networks and restrict access on government devices, defining prohibited applications as those "created, maintained, or owned by foreign principals from countries such as China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or Venezuela."

The bill includes exceptions and a waiver process. Representative Smit told the committee the measure would allow law enforcement to use prohibited applications when necessary for public-safety investigations and would let public employers request waivers from the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) to permit specific employees to access particular applications under defined conditions.

Representative Martin moved to adopt an H‑1 substitute to HB 42‑35; the committee roll call on the substitute produced 6 yays, 0 nays and 2 passes. Later, Representative Aragona moved to report HB 42‑35, as substituted, with recommendation; the committee clerk recorded the motion as prevailing with 6 yays, 0 nays and 2 passes.

Committee members noted bipartisan precedent at the federal level and in other states: "Both of the Trump administration and Biden administrations have prohibited certain applications on government issued devices due to data security concerns," Representative Smit said. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill to the next stage.