Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Kill Switch topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves kill-switch ban with amendment narrowing covered agreements
Summary
The committee approved an amendment and then concurred in Senate Bill 364, which bars remote activation of a 'kill switch' without a warrant and allows damages; the adopted amendment narrows 'recurring payment programs' to specific sale, lease, rental and secured-creditor agreements. The bill goes to the House floor.
The House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations Committee voted to adopt an amendment to Senate Bill 364 and then concurred in the amended bill, sending it to the House floor.
Mr. Burns described SB364, introduced by Senator Bogner, as legislation that would prohibit an entity from remotely activating a kill switch without a warrant and provide for damages. The committee considered Amendment 003.003, which clarifies that "recurring payment programs" include retail installment sale agreements, lease agreements, rental agreements and other secured-creditor agreements — language the sponsor said was requested by automotive-industry stakeholders.
Vice Chair Cordum said she opposed corporate power to remotely disable devices but would support this bill despite dilution by the amendment: "I oppose kill switches on lots of things. I do not think a corporate power should have the power to stop us from doing something from space." Representative Sharp voiced similar privacy concerns, and Representative Carter said he intends to offer a floor amendment requiring sellers and lessors to notify buyers if a product includes a kill switch.
The committee moved and approved the amendment by voice vote; the clerk reported 13 ayes and 1 nay. The committee then took a voice vote on the amended bill and Chair Perry announced that Senate Bill 364 passes to the House floor. Representative Mitchell agreed to carry the bill.
The committee’s action narrows the bill’s coverage of recurring-payment programs while maintaining a prohibition on remote kill-switch activation without judicial authorization. Further amendments and notice requirements may be considered when the bill reaches the floor.
