Committee advances data-broker registry with narrow exemptions after contested debate

A substitute for House Bill 2483 to establish a data‑broker registry and related exemptions was reported out of the Consumer Protection and Business Committee on Feb. 4, 2026 after adoption of several amendments and a recorded vote of 8‑7.

Vice Chair Hackney described an adopted amendment (MOL603) that narrows registration requirements to mirror an Oregon law by exempting entities selling data only for existing business relationships. Representative Clobba moved amendments to address Department of Licensing requests, including delaying penalty accrual until notice of noncompliance and posting a public registry on the Department of Licensing website; those amendments were adopted. Another adopted amendment (MOLV604) created an exemption for data that is publicly available or drawn from public records.

Representative Klobuch urged passage despite limits, warning of personal‑safety and civil‑rights harms from unregulated brokered data and citing prior high‑profile abuses: "The data that is collected and used on us is invisible to us...Minnesota house speaker was killed this last summer by a gunman who purchased the data about her location on the web from a data broker," she said, arguing transparency is needed even if the bill is imperfect. Opponents, including Representative Corey, said the amendments narrowed the bill too far and raised concerns about exempting public entities and retailers.

After roll call staff announced 8 ayes and 7 nays; substitute House Bill 2483 was reported out with a due‑pass recommendation. Members said further work is expected to refine the registry and its exemptions before floor action.