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House establishes personal-information privacy task force to study sale of consumer data
Summary
Representative Evan L. Olson’s bill to form a task force on sale and distribution of personal information passed the House 66–6. Supporters said data aggregation and sale of consumer lists is widespread; some members urged funding and called for a full study rather than a short interim review.
The House passed first substitute House Bill 70 on Feb. 9, creating a task force charged with studying the sale and distribution of personal information and the policy implications of data aggregation. Representative Evan L. Olson (sponsor) said merchants sometimes sell customer information "without notifying the customer" and described the proliferation of marketing and data-listing practices that chamber members and constituents report.
Olson described examples and the volume of legislative interest nationwide, noting that in 1998 "there were 8,500 pieces of legislation started in state legislatures about privacy issues." Multiple members supported the task force and asked that it be funded. Representative Chard acknowledged a general concern about task forces but said she would vote for this one on the basis of the problem’s scale. Representative Tammy Rowan and Representative Joel Nelson urged the House to fund the task force and prioritize it.
Some members suggested the subject could be handled as an interim study within the Public Utilities Committee to avoid extra funding for a task force; Representative Allen said the committee could study the issue but the decision about funding rests with the House. The House voted 66 yes and 6 no to pass the substitute and the bill was referred to the Senate.
The task force will study the issues around sale of personal data, consider impacts on consumers, and recommend policy options for the legislature to consider.
