California ISP Privacy Legislation Clears 2 Senate Committees

California legislation that would establish broadband privacy rules for ISPs passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 5-2 Tuesday after AB-375 was approved by the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee earlier that day (see 1707170052), said Assemblymember Ed Chau (D), who sponsored the bill, in a news release. Chau introduced the legislation, which requires ISPs to get opt-in consent from their customers before they can collect, use and sell any personal information. It garnered opposition from major ISPs and other tech firms. California is among at least 20 states to introduce such legislation after President Donald Trump and Congress repealed FCC privacy rules earlier this year. A Chau spokesman emailed that the legislation will be referred to the Senate Rules Committee but won't be heard by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee as initially expected. "We will be working on amendments with the two policy committees that heard the bill," the spokesman said, and the legislature will take up the bill in August after summer recess.